My work colleagues were off for a curry. So feeling sorry for little ‘ol me, who had another thankless evening alone lined up, whilst Mavis was away (again), they invited me along. By the time the evening came around a curry wasn’t in favour so we visited Thida Thai instead. Being sandwiched between a large Turkish restaurant [...] ...

Name a time when I am happy and the circumstances always involve you. The problem is we are married to other people. Of course, there are other equally formidable issues like children, careers, vast geographical distances, cultural heritage, and political differences. Yet despite these conditions, I conjure you as Canaletto could a painting or Berlioz an opera. The easy joy of being with you two years ago along Euston Road in London sustains me always. I’m never alone, because you are still with me in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Macau, Hainan, Bangkok, Koh Samui, Singapore, Dallas, Chicago, and St. Louis. Everywhere I ...

With a split personality this pub was a bit strange at first. Recommended by another of Dusty’s colleagues, we decided to try it out for lunch today. Arriving at 1pm on Saturday the 28th July, we were soon seated in the Olde Worlde, meets Mediterranean with a hint of Thailand pub. The place was cosy [...] ...

What a god awful service this is. Scrumming like an experienced Rugby player I managed to bag a standing room only position beside the toilet on the 7pm service out of Kings Cross. It took all of 5 minutes to start asking myself the question why am I not travelling in first class? Surrounded by [...] ...

We decided to try Kennedy’s today for a spot of lunch. Entering through the main door the first thing that hits you is the sweet smell of Cif. Having read other reviews, this is not an uncommon experience. Anyway after arguing over where to sit, we soon settled down and ordered our lunch. Dusty opting [...] ...

This week has seen me sampling the pleasures of the Jury’s Inn, Croydon, a 12 storey soulless place. Arriving Tuesday after a long day was not a good start. Getting to the hotel at about 9.40pm I was incensed to discover they stop serving food in the restaurant at 9.30. Quickly thinking room service would [...] ...

Dragging my suitcase a few yards down from Warren Street Tube I enter the Radisson Edwardian Grafton Hotel on Tottenham Court Road. The reception is not the usual long drawn out desk but a collection of small personal greeting points staffed by friendly people. Checking in was easy and didn’t involve the sometimes tedious ritual [...] ...

Stopping for lunch on Saturday at around 12.30 we found the place warm, welcoming but strangely empty.  We were seated quickly by the two very nice waiters and started to look through the lunch time menu.  The place was empty except for an older couple sat at a window table looking out on High Petergate.  The [...] ...

While visiting Dusty’s parents we decided to have lunch at The Crown of Crucis, near Cirencester. The car park was empty as we pulled up at around 1 o’clock on Saturday the 3rd November. We had booked ourselves a table in the restaurant thinking it would be the best part of the hotel to eat [...] ...

We paid another visit to The Bay Horse in Terrington for Sunday Lunch. Taking along my relatives, Denise, Julie and Joe, we arrived at 12noon to be greeted at the door by the owner. Sunday lunch is served as a carvery with a choice of three different meats and 10 different vegetable dishes. We were soon [...] ...

We stopped off at the 1331 Gastrobar in Grape Lane, York for lunch on Saturday. It is quite well hidden within the centre of York in what has now become known as the fashionable quarter. It is situated over the Norman Court and has ground floor and first floor bar areas. Also upstairs is a [...] ...

We spent our honeymoon at the 5 Star Intercontinental Resort Hotel in Paphos Cyprus. Arriving in the early hours we were greeted with complimentary champagne to enjoy during the check in process and were then whisked by Golf Buggy, to our hotel rooms to settle down for a good nights sleep. Waking early we started to [...] ...

On a trip into York, we decided to try Caesars Pizzeria and Restorante on Goodramgate. It is quite a large place facing the southern side of York Minster which is currently clad in scaffolding. We were seated in a small cosy part of the restaurant and immediately served with fresh crusty breads. The plastic menu made [...] ...

Checking in was fairly straight forward but there was no warmth or ‘make you feel at home’ welcome from the trainee staff on reception. The much heralded Priority Club loyalty scheme was not much in evidence either. Being a platinum member doesn’t account for much. A complimentary newspaper was never offered let alone a sniff [...] ...

Well I must say that the gate and fencing from Sandalwood Gates and Timber Products (Elvington, York) are fantastic. Well made, extremely good finish and the lads who fitted the gate and fencing were extremely professional. Highly recommended!! Unfortunately the fencing that we provided for them to fit, from Forest, was not so good. Poor quality, [...] ...

This sexy little number turned up on time after I ordered it from Amazon and I have to say it is very good indeed. For such a small box it certainly packs a punch and certainly does Carmine Meo by Emma Shaplin a whole lot of justice. For just over 200 quid it is worth [...] ...

What a great shoe shop. A traditional family run business that we stumbled across today while on our usual outing to York. All the great ‘quality’ makes we look for were here and the staff being knowledgeable only went to top the experience off. It looks small from the outside, but step inside and it [...] ...

Opposite the duck pond you will find this little gem of a county pub. We paid another visit to the Agar Arms yesterday (Saturday 11th Aug 07), only this time during the evening. The place was packed and we soon realised why. The food is excellent. It clearly has a huge following from people who [...] ...

A day trip with the ‘in-laws’ had us visiting Yorkshire Lavender in Terrington, York. It is as described on the tin; a place dedicated to Lavender. The owners also have a good sense of humour and an eye for tasteful detail as I was impressed with the landscaping and information provided. Apparently you have to [...] ...