Thursday, March 19, 2026

Life Is What Happens...

… when you’re busy making other plans.

Well that was unexpected! The past six months have been some of the most challenging and rewarding, but they've also been fairly all-consuming. I’m always conscious that I landed my dream job but I do have to balance that with how relentlessly demanding it is.

On top of that, the last quarter of last year included some pretty incredible travel experiences with four countries visited in three months!

Even I can admit that burning the candle on both ends is on brand for me

Before I knew it, six months had passed and I hadn't posted on this blog. The longer I left it, the harder it felt to explain the gap. I've even had a fully written post about our time in Bath sitting in my drafts all this time.

It feels like I’ve been trying to catch my breath for months but I’m happy to say things are finally starting to settle down.

So I’m easing myself back into writing and exploring again, and I’m really looking forward to catching up on everyone else’s adventures. I’ll do my best not to disappear again.

First, though, a little glimpse of what I've been up to all this time.

August

A long weekend in Bath & Salisbury

September

Twelve days in Nea Vrasna in Halkidiki, Greece.

October

A weekend in Budapest.

November

Six wonderful days where we travelled from Zurich to Tirano on the Bernina Express before spending time in Milan.

December

Spending lots of time with family and seeing Ebony Scrooge at Sadler Wells in Stratford.

January

A six mile walk from Gravesend to the Higham marshes and back to Gravesend for the winter lights festival.

February

Catching Tessa Campbell Fraser's Whales at Rochester Cathedral.

March

A visit to the Historic Dockyard Chatham to catch the Call the Midwife tour.

Let me know what you’d most like to read about and I’ll post about that first!

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Sunday, August 24, 2025

Gardens of Villa Melzi: A Lake Como Treasure

The beautifully appointed gardens of Villa Melzi, Lake Como

I've tried many times to compose this post in my mind but struggled each time. How do you express that you visited the most exquisite gardens in Italy when you know that you cannot do them justice? Known in English as the Villa Melzi Gardens, i Giardini di Villa Melzi d'Eril are located on the shore of Lake Como in Bellagio and feature a neoclassical villa, acres of carefully appointed gardens, and an impressive selection of sculptures.

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Tuesday, August 12, 2025

A Saturday in London: Just for One Day: The Live Aid Musical

London Oxford Street on a Summer Day, with Union Flags and Red London Bus

Last Saturday, we planned the quintessential London day. We took a stroll down Oxford Street, had lunch in Soho and spent an afternoon watching Just for One Day: The Live Aid Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

It was a lovely day, the perfect day for wandering about, and it was thankfully cooler than it had been earlier in the summer.

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Saturday, August 02, 2025

The Bombed-Out Church of St Luke’s, Liverpool

The Truce Statue of two men shaking hands over a football. In the background is the Bombed Out Church of St Lukes, Liverpool

I’ve always wanted to visit the bombed-out Church of St Luke’s in Liverpool but it was pouring with rain every time I went. Added to that, it wasn’t always possible to get inside due to closures or scaffolding. Our time finally came this year when Stephen and I found ourselves with an hour to spare before we met my cousin at Lime Street Station.

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Wednesday, July 23, 2025

A Taste of Bellagio: Lunch and a Stroll by Lake Como

Blue sky, stone buildings and a lamppost | Bellagio

It's strange how travel myths can shape our perceptions. I always believed the grand Italian lakes were only for the wealthy and famous, not for someone like me. As it turns out, nothing could be further from the truth. On my third day in Italy, my friend and I travelled to the delightful village of Bellagio, perched at the tip of the promontory dividing the two southern arms of Lake Como.

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© 2008 - Mandy Southgate | Emm in London

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