Prior to our little holiday in North Wales, I thought we would be spending most of our time sightseeing in Snowdonia or pootling along the Welsh coast. I hadn’t anticipated that the island of...
Mum’s Gone to Wales: Snowdonia

We’re in Snowdonia, should we try to climb Snowdon or not? That was the big question we asked ourselves on this trip and it caused a huge amount of deliberation. For a start, as...
Mum’s gone to Wales: Portmeirion

It may only be a short drive from Caernarfon but the little village of Portmeirion could be a world away. It was created by Clough Williams-Ellis, an architect with an extraordinary vision who once said, “Cherish...
Mum’s gone to Wales: Caernarfon

It was a fairly last minute decision to book a trip to Wales. Rory was home for the summer, his girlfriend was happy to come with us but we didn’t know where to go (call...
Recreating a childhood memory at #BML16

Who would have thought that at the BritMums Live #BML16 blogging conference in London I would recreate a precious childhood memory of drinking wine from a traditional Spanish porron. In 1972, aged 8, I accompanied my...
Taking a rest at The Cleveland Tontine

We must have driven past The Cleveland Tontine countless times on our way to and from Newcastle. There has always been something very appealing about this old coaching house which has been providing food and rest for travellers since the...
Broomhill Art Hotel & Sculpture Park

If you have a love of art and food, I can highly recommend a visit to the Broomhill Art Hotel & Sculpture Park on the outskirts of Barnstable in North Devon. We had no idea...
Hop, skip & jump in Ilfracombe

“Let’s see if I can jump as far as Jonathan Edwards,” said Dougie, limbering up on the seafront at Ilfracombe. “I think you’ll struggle,” I cautioned. “His triple jump record stands at 18.29m and...