It does not augur well as we step off the train in Windermere in torrential rain, me in my summer sandals! The rain continues into day one of our long weekend; our friends John and Hilary had wisely brought forward our Sunday lunch reservation at the Michelin star-winning L’Enclume in Cartmel, so we decide to go for a cultural visit to Brantwood House on the way. Continue reading
The grandest of the Saadian tombs
We are celebrating Ross’s second retirement. He said he wanted a rite of passage to get him out of pharma mode and back into real life. So here we are! On advice, we have decided that five nights downtown in a hot, noisy Riad is probably too much so we are staying in the Palmeraie district in a lovely place, Les Deux Tours, set in luscious gardens complete with vegetables, goats, hammam, large pool, hidden 4-poster beds for a post-prandial nap, and immaculate service. Our room lies behind a Mediterranean blue door and has its own secret garden. Spoiling indeed. Continue reading
Spencer is marrying Jessica in Barbados; he and his brother Reed are playpen mates of both Tommy and Louise so it’s an invitation we really can’t refuse. Continue reading
We’re going to Barbados – for a wedding! The son of our old friends who live there is getting married, so we have hired an apartment – but more of that in the next blog. Cashing in on so-called BA freebies means we have to arrive a little early – so we find ourselves in Bequia spending a few chilled-out days doing some diving and getting into training for the wedding! Continue reading
The Dents du Midi from the 8-man chair in Les Crosets
It’s January and the annual Queens College ski reunion. This is the 10thyear that old Cambridge friends have gathered in Switzerland, and now France, to remember trips of yore, including the celebrated one to Avoriaz where Ross and I met 40 years ago! Continue reading
Enjoying the glorious weather with cousin Diego Oyarzun Reyes, Dents Blanches in teh background
Christmas was Louise’s favourite time of year and, after my mother died, all four of us would decamp to the mountains to ski and enjoy ourselves. My main job – after cooking – has always been to ‘do’ the stocking for my three dependents…then in the early hours Santa delivers them to the foot of the respective beds. Continue reading
The Haywain triptych by Hieronymus Bosch – a stolen photo!
It’s become a habit to celebrate our joint birthdays somewhere exotic – we are only 6 days apart and yes, I am the older woman. Last year we were in Nicaragua and this year we chose Madrid as it equidistant from Basel and London – plus we’ve only ever been there on business. Continue reading
