It probably sounds a bit random that we love a London staycation, but actually it’s many of the best things about travelling without the frustrating downsides. It was the Mr’s turn to pick, and as he fancied a modern stay, we picked the Sea Containers Hotel on the Southbank. I’ve popped in a few times for cocktails with friends (at this Mr Kiwi rolled his eyes ‘of course you’ve been here before’) but it was… View Post
I’m simply going to start this review with Mr Kiwi’s response when I told him we were going to Brilliant “Brilliant Resaurant? HELL YES – it’s meant to be one of the best in the country!” Disclosure: We were invited guests to Brilliant Restaurant – but all thoughts are mine. He doesn’t tend to get as overtly excited about things as much as I do, so this set my expectation bar super high. Then I… View Post
Over the three plus months of being stuck at home during the Covid-19 lockdown, for the most part we actually we settled into a fairly nice routine of working and relaxing. Thinking back, there were at least 10 things I achieved during the Covid-19 lockdown period. Mr Kiwi even set up a reoccuring Friday night pub chat via Skype (which gave me a chance to do the same, or indulge in some terrible TV.)
For the longest of time I’ve been meaning to have dinner at Tredwells – it’s been languishing for too long at the top of my London restaurant ‘to try’ list (which is as long as the Thames – but more neatly sectioned than the relative hodge podge of London bridge placement.) Sorry, that was quite a laboured metaphor. Back to dinner. The Work Wife and I were both celebrating 3 successful years of self employment,… View Post
Over the years we’ve been lucky enough to have some incredible experiences and stay in some breathtaking places. This collection of 11 dream hotels around the world are all special for so many reasons; from ancient castles to modern skyscrapers with infinity pools overlooking city horizons. (Tap the linked title to read more about each individual stay.) CASTLE HUNTING: GLOUCESTERSHIRE PRINCESSES FOR THE NIGHT | UK Once upon a time, two Kiwi girls voyaged across… View Post
This blog is called Adventures of a London Kiwi, but my second UK home is Lincolnshire. Over the years I’ve shared my favourite spots, but a recent trip inspired me to properly lasso these best of the best things to do in Lincolnshire into a single blog post. With my better half being a paid up Linconshire yellow belly (perhaps the most popular story for the origins of the term yellowbelly is one concerning the apparel… View Post
We were bound for Chichester, the sun was shining and Tinwood Estate were busily readying an private tasting of their English sparkling wine for 3 thirsty bloggers.… View Post
I’ve wanted to explore more of the Netherlands than just Amsterdam – this list of what to do in Rotterdam is heavily edited for my own interests of cats and architecture.… View Post
When we slipped onto the terrace to enjoy the Ziggy Green Taqueria menu, we were simply having too much fun to concentrate on anything but catching up… View Post
We road tripped down to North Devon, two sun seekers aching for the sound of the ocean and the uncomplicated clink of a sunset glass of bubbles. I can’t pretend to be any expert on what to do in North Devon – but luckily my friend has been holidaying there since she was a child. We deliberately kept our Devon days loose – to fit in lazy lie-ins, long breakfasts overlooking the oceans, lots of… View Post
Come with me to a rather special place in amongst the clouds of London. It’s a modern temple of gold and charcoal – and has heavenly city views. Oh, and the menu? The Aqua Shard weekend brunch array is as opulent as the surrounds. [Disclosure: I was a guest of Aqua Shard but all flowery descriptions, leisurely lingering and repeat visits are very much my own.] It was the first out of the house lunch… View Post
Whenever it gets over 30°C I start to melt, Wicked Witch style (capital letters fully intended). All I seem to crave is light salads, buckets of iced water and green vegetables. Enter stage left this cucumber and pea soup recipe. The other 36°C (that’s almost 100°F!) day I had a fridge/cupboard rummage and it was like a light bulb went off (not just the fridge light, I mean.) I adore cucumbers – often just slicing them… View Post
No-one really ever expected this would happen. (I don’t really know why I wanted to write this post about life as an expat during a global pandemic, but this is my online journal and sometimes we just have to have a heart to page occasionally.) The world is topsy-turvy thanks to the widespread carnage of a virus, families have been torn apart both permanently and temporarily and who knows how long this will have ramifications… View Post
Over the years we have been lucky enough to enjoy meals in some of the most wonderful places – so I thought I’d share 5 of my most memorable meals. Aftternoon tea at Claridges, breakfasting like lords in a Bordeaux Chateau, dinner at the Ritz, feasting on a bento box near Mount Fuji, lunching at Le Manoir, brunching with glorious London views, drinking ‘arctic whiskey’ under the Northern Lights in Tromso, eating cake in Vienna and so many more… View Post
If there was a theme to this monthly session of chatting over coffee, it’d be decisions. The decisions you make both in life generally, and specifically when you live the expat life in London. I think I’d be sipping a tropical espresso martini – ideally at the top of Aqua Shard with my lovely friends.
There isn’t anything so delightful as sitting with a friend in sunshine, with a glass of rosé in hand – and it’s one of the things we all missed so much during lockdown. Since it opened The Laundry, Brixton has been right at the top of my ‘to visit’ list, so much so, that it’s the first place that I wanted to go when lockdown began to ease. The scene was perfect – sun out, terrace… View Post
People often worry that to be a travel blogger they have to jet off to all corners of the world every weekend or they won’t have enough content. Well, to that I say phooey. There are so many amazing quirky day trips from London that you can take in England (even turning them into leisurely weekends away.) This isle has wizards, giants, knights, princes, castles, Raven warders and ancient stories that never cease to amaze. It… View Post
An intriguing twist in life lately, has been bringing restaurants into our home instead of dining out. For months there has been no going out to eat but trying alternatives like the recently launched home dining by Corbin and King, which was delivered to us. [Disclosure: I was given these meals by Corbin and King but all opinions are very much my own.] We were delighted to peruse the menu with signature dishes from the Wolseley (a… View Post
When I launched myself into self-employment 3 years ago, I genuinely had no idea whether it would work or not. I had no inkling that I’d spend more than 3 years running my own business successfully. Cheers to many many more! So, hearing my friend’s words ringing in my head about actually celebrating milestones, we broke out the bubbly for a leisurely break between emails.
If we were having a coffee, it would probably be part of a ‘socially distanced’ picnic in London, because that was absolutely the highlight of June. Well, if I’m honest, March and April as well really. We lost our little Biscuit this month, and she has left a Tabby shaped hole in our hearts. June 2020 will always make me think of paint fumes. Aside from sleeping, working and reading, all we’ve really done is… View Post