Elsewhere

I've been elsewhere, in mind and body. Am back from a very long and hard week working away but my mind... it still hasn't really returned yet.

Toadstools & Pine Cones

I spent two days in cold and snowy Davos this week, where I found some Swiss chocolate toadstool and pine cone decorations for our tree.

Pure luxury as they're filled and not hollow... didn't you always wish for filled chocolate Christmas tree decorations when you were a kid? I know did...

Abdulla

I could've wandered round the Grand Bazaar all day, but the store I most wanted to visit was Abdulla.

About a year ago I bought a cotton hamam towel from Toast to take swimming, as I thought it would be lighter and less bulky than a regular terry toweling bath sheet. I'm a complete convert. Abdulla had a great selection which made it difficult to make a choice. After a considerable amount of time pulling them all from the shelves, I settled on two of these ultra soft cotton bath towels with a grey and white border.

And the icing on the cake? The string bag which they came in once they'd been carefully wrapped in brown paper (looking a little crumpled here after the flight home)...

Istanbul

Just returned from 10 days in Istanbul. It was a long time to be away from home, working lots and lots of hours. The plus side of the trip was getting to see Molly, Julie, Makiko, Rita, Hilda and Arden who all work in other parts of the world.

I did manage one day of sight seeing and a little shopping...

Blue Mosque

Hagia Sophia

Grand Bazaar

Tiny Tim's

Today Mrs W and I spent a very pleasant afternoon in the city of Canterbury. We made the trip in order to take tea at Tiny Tim’s Tearoom. What a fabulous place. I had their Blue Lady tea, and among other delights, enjoyed the best Victoria sponge cake I’ve had in a long time…

A perfect start to the holiday weekend!

We're home

My heart belongs to Antwerp... well, at least for the time being anyway! We had a wonderful weekend in this stylish, compact, historic and generous city.

One of the biggest highlights was our hotel, Boulevard Leopold.  I can't recall where I found their website, but I'm glad I did as it was the catalyst for me booking time off and the flights...  I absolutely loved the comfortable feel and perfect style of the house, which dates from 1890. I'd move in in a flash... if I could!

On the day we arrived, we found ourselves in the right neighbourhood and paid a visit to the very lovely Mieke Willems.  I could've spent hours browsing the shelves full of desirable goods in this small, but perfectly formed, store. I picked up some o-check design graphic check tape in red, a cute cloud pen and a cheerful pop-up clown card both from millimetermilligram, along with a copy of Bruno Munari's Roses in the Salad.

So many other things to see, do, eat and drink.  I'm already wondering when we can return...

Coffee with sugarless ginger bread at De Biologisch-Dynamische Bakkerij

Drinks and lunch at Kapitein Zeppos

Cathederal of our Lady

Delicious supper at Refectoire

Cherry beer Kriek

Botanical Garden

Chocolates by Günther Watté, salt & pepper caramel was my favourite

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