Visiting family and friends

From Bruges we drove down the coast to Calais to catch Le Shuttle to the UK. We’d planned a short trip to visit our families and friends. We headed to Norfolk first, visiting Dad and staying with my brother Jon and his family. Then we headed down to Kent, where we had the opportunity to visit, what I believe is, one of Kent’s most beautiful houses, at Ightham Moat. I have to say, apart from its obvious splendour, it gave me lots of ideas for Christmas decorations. It’s great getting inspiration from places you visit.

We then caught the train into London, and spent some time with Brian’s family. It was so lovely to catch up with everyone.

Whilst there we took a wander into Marylebone. It’s a great area of London peppered with small boutique shops. One that we visited was Daunt books. It offers their customers a different way of finding new books, by categorising and presenting them in collections based on the country they represent. For example, the French section includes books on travel, fiction, non-fiction, cookery, history, wine, and so much more, almost anything that has a French connection. It’s great as you switch from travel to cookery to fiction, an ideal way to inspire a purchase or two.

Finally, after a lot of walking, supping coffee and enjoying a little tipple in an unusually quiet west end pub, we found ourselves outside of Fortnum & Mason. One of my favourite shops in London.

Our day and trip ended with a wonderful family meal in Dishoom, and a stroll through Covent Garden, admiring the spectacular Christmas lights London offered.