Settling into our new place!

We have finally moved into our new place with a sniffle here and there as we said farewell to Porchester Square. After 10 months, we definitely grew an attachment to the place. It became our home away from home with us knowing each and every squeak and creak in the place. There is definitely a bit of doubt about whether our new place in South Kensington can live up to its predecessor. It is bigger with a private terrace, but it is only time that will show whether we will have the same emotional attachment.

Time to move

After 9 months of living in Paddington, it is time to move on. We will be moving across Hyde Park to South Kensington. It has a more cosmopolitan feel than Paddington, so it should be interesting to live another part of London.

Even on the short time here, we have discovered there is so much stuff we have accumulated. I wonder how many trips in the Ford Fiesta it will take to move everything.

We will also have to cope with internet withdrawal for 3 weeks now until we get setup. Time to read a book?

Italy Part 4 - Rome

Having pried ourselves away from the Amalfi Coast, we marched onwards towards Rome with a brief stop in Vietri Sul Mare for ceramics shopping and a stroll through the ruins of Pompei. Rome is a great city to explore on foot. Every 5 minutes you turn the corner to be overwhelmed with a piece of history that you recall from documentaries or movies you have seen. The old charm of Rome may be down to the laid back Italian attitude to life that has flowed into the apparent neglect for the buildings? More Roman ruins? We did brave the 30+ degree heat and humidity for us to tick Rome off the travel checklist... Next!

Italy Part 3 - Sorrento

Due to the ridiculous prices of accommodation in the area, we only stayed the one night in Sorrento. We stayed at a boutique hotel (La Minervetta) run by interior decorator and scenographer that oozed the warmth and feel reminiscent of La Maison Du Frene in Vence (Southern France). We did not want to leave this place, and the upgrade to the junior suite did not help one bit in prying us away.

For the night time R&R, we indulged at the Relais Blu restaurant. We had timed it perfectly for sunset, and it was a moment that you realise that this sunset is not like any other. A sip of a martini, a mouthful local seafood, and a sunset over the mediterranean...This is life!

Italy Part 2 - Amalfi Coast

Our Amalfi coast portion of our holiday consisted of Amalfi, Positano, Ravello, and a very scary yet picturesque piece of road. To get the full Italy feel, we hired a Fiat 500 that proved to be the perfect tool in getting 2 cars into what should be a one lane road. We definitely feel lucky that we finished the Amalfi Coast unscathed. Each of the towns had their own character, but they all made you want to put your feet up and relax! We could spend days or weeks here, but definitely needed some good sunscreen.

Italy Part 1 - Napoli, Capri

After the 3hr roadtrip from Rome and endless rants at Italian drivers, we arrive at our very modern hotel on the coast of Napoli. Hotel Romeo provides great contrast to the old and dirty city it is situated. After the obligatory pizza in Napoli as it is the birthplace of the pizza, we rest up for the big day tomorrow in Capri.

Capri is absolutely stunning! Even though we missed out on seeing the Blue Grotto due to the choppy seas, we were still in awe of the breath taking views and the mouthwatering seafood on offer.

Goodwood Festival of Speed - Awesome Video

While in the pit paddock, I was perfectly placed to capture the Toyota F1 car startup and drive off. Cannot stop watching this!

Goodwood Festival of Speed

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is a celebration of motorsport from all eras. Based on an estate, it has a 1.16 mile hill climb where current F1 cars, ex F1 cars, prototype cars, hypercars, and supercars perform. Apart from the hillclimb, it is the event in the calendar that allows the drivers to relax and give a bit back to the fans. Marisa even got the opportunity to shake Jenson Button's hand to congratulate him on the great job he is doing in the F1 championship. There is too much to tell in words so I will let the pics tell the story instead.

The New Forest, Hampshire and the Pilgrim Inn

For our weekend escape, we wanted to get in touch with nature and in doing so headed south to the New Forest, Hampshire. The landscape remains untouched for centuries allowing for wild horses, and deer to roam around. We drove our Golf through the rolling hills at a wander to absorb the air of timelessness that emanated from the surroundings. Next time we have to really camp! We crave the ginger, lemongrass marinated steak a la Thanh.

We stayed a few minutes away at the Pilgrim Inn that was part of the Fullers Inn group. Yes, Fullers as in the brewery that makes London Pride ale. It was Marisa's first stay at a pub, but it was pleasant surprise.

The Hinds Head

Having delayed picking up a little present for a while, we finally made our way to the Hinds Head pub. Along with the Fat Duck, Heston Blumenthal also owns the Hinds Head. Heston had travelled the world to discover the ultimate methods of cooking the family favourites such as the humble pea and ham soup, bangers and mash, and chicken pie. Very very yummy.