For the first time this holiday it seemed a struggle getting out of bed, a sure sign that we must have adapted to the 8 hour time difference. Going down to breakfast the restaurant manager either had a good memory or maybe it was because we appeared to be the only European guests staying at …
It was such a treat waking up in our stylish room at the beautiful Boulevard Hotel and drawing back the curtains to uninterrupted views of the Irish Sea. Heading downstairs we were shown to a window table in the restaurant from where we could watch the waves lapping the beach whilst tucking into our delicious …
The weather forecast was good so we planned a visit to Upton House and Gardens near Banbury in Warwickshire. Arriving around 2.00 p.m. on a glorious summer's day the main car parks were already full but we were directed to an overflow parking area in a field which was only a short walk from the …
Setting off early one weekend we decided to visit Nostell Priory on the outskirts of Wakefield in West Yorkshire. Approaching Wakefield we stopped off for breakfast rolls and coffee at the Union Rooms in Batley which is just around the corner from a Mill Outlet so we had a quick look in there before moving …
I'd seen an article in a magazine about the Mottisfont Rose Garden and how beautiful it was in mid-summer so one sunny day we decided to visit. The garden is in Hampshire and on our way we stopped in Andover for an early lunch and a little look around the market town. Andover is located …
It was another warm, sunny morning so after breakfast we took the metro to Gyeongbokgung station so that we could visit Gyeongbokgung Palace. As we had purchased a book of tickets the previous day covering all of Seoul's palaces we did not need to visit the ticket office. We had arrived at 9.20 a.m. in …
Continue reading Day 6. Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Royal Guard Change, Seoul
We opened the curtains to clear blue skies and sun pouring into our room which was such a contrast from the previous two days. After enjoying a leisurely hotel breakfast we took the metro to Anguk Station, Line 3, Exit 3 so that we could visit the two royal palaces located near there. Soon we …
Continue reading Day 4. Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung Palaces, Seoul
We woke to the sound of heavy rain beating against the windows and on checking the forecast it seemed to be set in for the day. Breakfast was again tasty with some different hot dishes from the previous morning. I spotted some cream of mushroom soup which isn't something I would usually have for breakfast …
After a good night's sleep, we set off after breakfast for a visit to the World of Wedgwood in nearby Barlaston. The Wedgwood estate stretches for 240 acres with ample free parking in its grounds. The modern buildings have huge willow sculptures near the entrance in the shape of crockery. We planned our arrival for …
Continue reading Day 2. World of Wedgwood & Biddulph Grange Gardens
Stoke-on-Trent doesn't always spring to mind for a short break in the U.K. but reading about its industrial heritage as the world capital of ceramics tempted us to spend a few days exploring the city. Stoke is located midway between Manchester and Birmingham and has direct rail services to London taking only 90 minutes. In …
Continue reading Day 1. The Potteries, Trentham Monkey Forest & Gardens
