I'm Back

I can't believe I have been away from blogging for over a week, so apologies for the post drought and not visiting, I am hoping to catch up with you all within the next few days.   I have to confess I have been away gallivanting, sans laptop, which is just as well as I have had no time for anything except pleasure!

 The Stray, complete with Victorian Promenade Shelter, Harrogate

 I went back home to dear old Blighty, where I spent a wonderful few days back in my home town, Harrogate, Yorkshire, catching up with family and friends, whilst there, I did lot's of wining and dining I was particularly impressed with Harrogate's newest restaurant Le Bistrot Pierre, which has great food and a fabulous ambience, I gather they have a few restaurants in various UK towns, check out the link, and if you find yourself  in any of the locations, where they have an establishment; Go!

I took my Mother down to London for a couple of days, my gorgeous and fabulous Brother treated us to a stay at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, my Brother always stays in this hotel when he is in London on business. 

The Views Of Kensington Gardens And Beyond From My Room

Wow, what a fabulous Hotel, not so pretty on the outside but the inside, more than makes up for it, it is a family owned hotel and it shows, most of the staff have been there for years and they make you feel like Royalty, nothing is too much trouble, I think it is one of the friendliest and most comfortable hotels I have ever stayed in and if you can secure a room overlooking Kensington Gardens, you will be privy to one of the finest views in London.  Major foodies had  informed me that they have one of the best Chinese restaurants in London; Min Jiang, I have now sampled it and can vouch for it, some of the greatest Chinese food I have ever tasted, with the emphasis on fresh. The restaurant is on the tenth floor of the hotel, so whilst you are tasting heaven you also have an awe inspiring panoramic view of London.

 Min Jiang Restaurant

Another excellent restaurant which has fabulous views over London is Babylon, just over the road, from the Royal Garden, on Derry Street.

I did cram a lot of things into my trip, I took my Mother to the V&A to see the Grace Kelly exhibit, I had heard a few negative reports, on this, not enough dresses, where was the wedding dress etc. Personally I thought it was very well done and so did my Mother, I also have to mention that my Mother cannot function properly in the morning without the aid of great coffee, we walked from the hotel to the V&A, on route there were no cafes, so we stopped off at The Royal Albert Hall's Cafe Consort for breakfast which was extremely good value for money with charming staff serving...wonderful.

 My Mother, after coffee, proving age is only a number (she is 75, sorry Mum!)

The only disappointment of the trip, was me, hotfooting it over to see the Leighton House Museum, which was at the other end of Kensington High Street, a brisk twenty minute walk from the hotel; closed on Tuesdays!  Never mind, my fault for not checking, will go on my next trip, I consoled myself by photographing the blue plaque.

 This Is A Typical Holland Park Property, It Was so Pretty, I Could Not Resist Photographing It.

Well here endeth my little jaunt, I must say I left a warm sunny Britain and arrived in cold and rainy France, apparently it has been awful here for two weeks, rainy, murky and cold... the grass is not always greener......