Venice Simplon Orient Express

I am very fortunate to have a kind husband who last year, spoilt me with a wonderful trip away  to celebrate my birthday.
Looking back through my photos, have never got around to sharing them, so here goes, come aboard and I will show you around.
 We departed from Victoria Station in London and crisscrossed Europe, through Switzerland and ending up in the wonderful City of Venice.
A journey unlike any other  when you step aboard the train and instantly you feel like you have stepped back in time, to amazing elegance and was certainly a wonderful and romantic experience.
 Considered one of the most luxurious trains in the world, the Orient Express hearkens back to the Golden age of luxury travel in the 1920's.

I loved all the Art Deco touches, from the marquetry inlayed wood, plush sofa and chairs to the French Lalique glass in the dinning car.

In our room was a little sink, in an enclosed cabinet and you are provided with robe, slippers, towels and toiletries. 

The friendly and helpful staff were dressed in regal uniforms, and the food was outstanding and there is something special about train journeys, where you can relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery from your room.

Everyone dressed up in their finest clothes and was certainly a very memorable trip

After dinner the waiter kindly brought out a birthday cake, a very sweet handbag that we were able to share with another couple that were sitting at our table.
 So all to soon, our journey came to an end and we arrived in Venice. We can now look back with many happy memories of our trip, and meeting many new friends on our way.  One couple we talked to actually had a brother and sister who live on our Island, so it is a small world after all.
Breakfast was served in our room 

 

Do hope you are having a great weekend.
We have a long weekend here, with it been Waitangi day on Tuesday, many people take the Monday off and make it a four day holiday.
hugs
Carolyn

Busy time of the year

The lead up to the end of year is always hectic and that is why I have not been around here much.
Sorry I have not been to visit you but looking forward to coming over to say hello soon.

The end is in sight for the building work around our place and this week saw some outside steps and raised garden beds in which I planted some herbs, tomatoes and a passionfruit vine in it, so hopefully we will have some rainfall to keep everything healthy.
We have enjoyed having our daughter home for a few days and she left yesterday to go back to her apartment in the City.

                                                               



Last night we went to Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam's ) concert and it was wonderful.
It was one of my dreams to see him and when he turned his back on the music industry and gave it all up and stopped performing, did not think that would happen.
The show started off with a background set of a stylised London train station which set the scene well for his early days growing up in London.
Then he invited us up to a mock up of the attic in the family home, where we saw some of his treasures and he shared stories of his life.

All the old favourites, Father and Son, Wild World, Peace Train, Moonshadow and Remember the days in the old school yards, were some of the wonderful songs he played - his soulful voice sounded remarkable and unchanged from all those years ago.
The great part about it, the crowd sang along with him  as we knew all the old tunes and if you closed your eyes it transported you back to 1971.
The final song 'Morning has broken' and one I have always loved and played on the piano, was a wonderful end to the evening.
Have you ever been lucky to attend one of Cat Stevens concerts?

Hope all is well with you and the lead up to the end of the year is relaxed and calm.

Will leave you will some pretty peonies and hope your week is going well and wishing you a happy weekend
hugs
Carolyn

Clos Maggiore

When I read about this Restaurant I knew that it would be a lovely place to dine for my birthday when we were in London, so this is where we went.
Clos Maggiore is situated in a bustling area of London, in Covent Gardens and it was voted London's most romantic restaurant.
What was funny on the day we thought we had another hour to get ready and then my husband said it was 11.45 and we had a table reservation for 1pm. So it was a mad dash to get dressed and out the door to make our way across the City.

Our table was in the conservatory ( where it is the best place to be) it is really beautiful with pretty white cherry blossom everywhere and with a glass roof, creating a light and airy dining space.
The food was delicious of a French and Tuscan style and the service from the  friendly and competent staff was exceptional.
This really was a romantic and charming Restaurant and I had the best birthday, because who doesn't like to drink champagne, taste delicious food and dress up in a pretty dress.

  The pappardelle pasta with mushrooms was so good

Yesterday the builders were back to do a demolition job on our kitchen.
The past few days we have been packing the entire kitchen, food, utensils, pots and pans in boxes to store until the new kitchen can be installed on Monday, so that is why I have not had time to sit down at the computer. It was a good time to do a big clean out and a lot of things went in the rubbish - like herbs and spices that were past there best by date.
Today we are moving out to stay in an apartment in the City for a couple of weeks while the work is taking place. Look forward to getting away from the noise of hammering, sawing and dust.

Do hope all is well with you and I look forward to coming to see how you are.
hugs
Carolyn

First stop London

Our adventure began in London, arriving there at 5 am a little bleary-eyed and still feeling tired, we caught the Heathrow Express into the City. You don't know how good it was to be back on terra firma again!
The Shard was where we booked in to spend the first night and as the room was not ready we left our luggage with the Concierge and went to the Restaurant for some breakfast. This was the view we looked out on.

 From the staff recommendation they suggested we take a visit to the Borough Market which is down the road - you can see the top of the Shard in the background

 What a wonderful place to go and have a look around, the fruit, vegetables, sweets and produce looked so fresh and how lucky to be able to do your weekly shop here. 

Freshly baked bread, yum!

For those with a sweet tooth

Buying some fresh fruit there, we walked across the London Bridge and stopped in at a little pub for lunch at the Barrowboy and Banker.
 Now it is with sadness when we think what happened three weeks later at this place, when we heard on the news of the disaster, terror and tragedy that occurred there.
It brings tears to your eyes, all that is going on around the world.
Life and travel has changed so much

Our room was on the 43rd floor and having a room with this view was very special.

thank you for the welcome home notes, I really appreciate your kindness and friendship.
I am getting over jet lag and lack and lack of sleep. With the different time zone for the first week we were waking up at 3 or 4 am which can leave you tired for the next day.
Looking forward to coming over to say hello.

Have a happy weekend
hugs
Carolyn

A few more

 
London has many iconic buildings, landmarks and sights to be seen around every corner.

Hope you are not too tired of seeing a few more of the snaps I took around the City.

 
For me looking back over my photos is a little reminder of the wonderful time I spent there.
 




I hope you are doing well.
Thank you for stopping by to see me, dear friends.
Wishing you a great new week
hugs
Carolyn

Out and about in London

London is perfect for walking as it is relatively flat and I always feel it is the best way to explore a City. You see so much more walking and taking in the sights, smells and atmosphere and you don't get that, when you are driving in a car.

 We stayed at Blakes Hotel and this was in a great location with so many gorgeous old homes and within minutes of unpacking our bags, we  headed off to check out the neighbourhood.
Here are just a few snaps taken when we stayed there, back in September.

 Do hope all is well with you and wishing you a great December.
All good here, just lots going on and I hope to get over to visit you soon.
hugs
Carolyn
 

London Calling

 We walked around the streets of  Belgravia where we stayed for a week, and were able to admire all the grand and posh homes.

 characterised by grand terraces of white stone buildings that went right along the street

I love London from walking through the beautiful parks, seeing the old churches, and visiting a few of the museums. Getting around the City you had the choice of riding the large red double decked buses, the ubiquitous black taxi cabs...

or speeding to the  next destination via the underground.

We were fortunate to spend a week in London and loved every minute of our time there.

So much part of the streets, the iconic red pillar boxes stand as they did 160 years ago and a unique feature of Britain

I wish you a wonderful weekend
hugs
Carolyn