Taking the Stress Out of Packing for your Holidays

Up until a few years ago I used to pack far too much for our travels!

You see we made the decision to take our bags on board for further trips so that we could make a quick getaway.

So things had to change.

Since then, as soon as we've booked our trip, I start thinking what I'm going to pack.  That's mainly because by the time we go I've managed to get the clothes down to the amount I actually need to take :)

Easy packing...

You may have read our blog Top Tips for Easy Packing where you'll find lots of tips including my great find from Eagle Creek.

I bought mine on Amazon as it was the best price at the time but search Eagle Creek for the best deals.

Easy showering ....

Prior to our trip to Kontokali Lake House in Corfu, I found another little gem for showering, which, by the way, doesn't need to go in your liquid bag.

This sponge is absolutely brilliant.  When wet it lathers up and smells divine.  I also felt I got a bit of exfoliation too which, of course, helped with the suntan.  :)  Definitely worked for me and saved me having to squeeze a shower gel into that tiny liquid bag. 😏

  

Again I bought mine on Amazon.  There are lots of different fragrances.  I've just ordered another one for our next trip :)  I'm trying the French Lavender this time.

And another thing ....

Remember if you are travelling to a hot country the mosquitos can easily spoil your holiday.  If these little devils do get the better of you you'll need something to ease the troublesome itching.

I took my Antipodes Saviour Skin Balm and found this to genuinely be my skin saviour.  Stopped all itching and the lumps and bumps disappeared almost overnight.  Definitely worked for me!

So the moral of this blog is when you book your holidays, plan ahead, make a list, use our notepad to help you ..... 

start packing early because I bet, if you're anything like me, by the time you go you'll have taken some of of those clothes out of your bag 😲

It's holiday time ..... pack ...... and ...... RELAX

Take the stress out of packing.

Happy holidays :)

Travel Photographers' Postcard from Marlow and a Trip Down Memory Lane

One of the loveliest places on the River Thames and one of the prettiest High Streets.  

Many years ago we lived there and that's how we remember it......  

The question is does it still have it's charm?

Oh yes indeed it does.

Just a snapshot of the High Street today as we have far more important things to think about.

Lunch of course :)

And without further ado I'm going to take Malcolm to a place where I know he will love the food.

We were greeted with a very warm welcome.

Being fresh air fanatics, I'd booked a table outside and today I wasn't entirely sure I'd made the right decision?

However, the heaters were turned up and the contemporary coloured black and white striped blankets were ready on a 'just in case' basis :)

 

Very cosy indeed.  No need to worry about being cold.

The lovely Aimee was soon at the table announcing she was our waitress for today and asked if we'd like maybe some olives or bread and a drink whilst we chose from the menu.

Yes please!  Having eaten here before I knew only too well that the food would be delicious and we could take some time to choose.

The menus in hand, as I thought, we ummed and ah'd .... it all looked appetising.

The lunch menu was extremely tempting and realistically priced too.

And so the lunch menu it was .......

Now I could go on and on about what we chose and how incredible the food tasted but .......

1.  I don't want to bore you

and

2.  I really don't want to make myself feel hungry 😏

Consequently, images follow:

Starters ....

followed by:

followed by:

Gosh after that I think we need a walk along the river.  What?  Oh dear time has run out on the car ...... 

maybe next time.

Now the question is ....... can you guess who had what?

A huge thank you to the Marlow Bar and Grill for the most amazing lunch, fabulous friendly and professional service and delicious food.

We'll be back for sure.

Until the next time.

Could this be the Ultimate Escape to the New Forest

About a 30 minute drive from Southampton and, in fact, for us about the same from Lymington, this beautiful hotel nestles in the heart of the New Forest.

For me, this is a place I visit quite often for coffee with friends, but today was a special treat.  We were here for lunch.

Even more of a treat in store for Malcolm has he has never been here.

A drive through the New Forest is always a pleasure but when you live somewhere you rarely do any sightseeing, which is a pity really.

The drive, of course, can be slow sometimes ....

so if you have a deadline give yourself time to drive slowly!

We did, of course, set off early and arrived with time to start the lunch with a welcoming glass of fizz!

and there was more .....

This cute little pan of delicious scrummy nibbles were delightful.

Please forgive me.  I have forgotten what they were called, just trust me when I say they were a gastronomic delight.

We were looked after incredibly well and were shown to a very stylish restaurant, with views of the gardens.

We opted for the Seasonal Set Lunch menu.  There was the option of two or three courses and very reasonably priced.

A quick peek down to the bottom where the deserts caught my eye so the three courses would probably be the order of the day!

I always think it's rather rude to get the professional camera out in a restaurant (unless of course you're working on a commercial shoot) so I tend not to do it.  Please take our word for it .... the food was delicious.

Of course, if you don't believe us, you can always go and try for yourself.

After lunch Paulo very kindly took us through to the lounge for coffee, after which we thought we ought to try and walk a little before getting back in the car.

A wander is a must.  These gardens are full of surprises.

And the view of the building is stunning from many angles.

 It is truly beautiful, so I'll let you wander with us for a while .....

 I sat on this bench in a secluded area of the garden and watched the butterflies and bees.

But if you want to be a little more energetic, there's a forest ramble.  Not for us on this occasion..... I do wonder where it goes though?

You could always extend your lunch to an overnight stay?

  

There are many options here.  All seem to be quiet, private, and unique.

 No Malcolm, not today ...... maybe another time though :)

 Lodges, cottages, forest suites, hideaways ........

with a little more wandering and we came upon the Lake Cabin.  

Looks like the sort of place you could peacefully curl up with a book or stay a little longer and even write a book!

If it's peace, tranquillity and luxury you are after, then this is your ultimate escape to the New Forest ......it is, of course,

 Lime Wood Hotel

A Postcard from Gouvia Marina Corfu

The first privately owned marina in Greece, not far from the International Airport and about 6 kilometres from the town of Corfu.

Fortunately for us too, a walk from our apartment.

Sail your soul ...

Even if you're not into yachts you will love the atmosphere here and the many restaurants and bars where you can sit and watch the world go by.

In fact the marina was our first stop by car where we ate our very first lunch and sipped our ice cold beer en route to Kontakali.

Celebrations ...

Today it was Malcolm's birthday and he had, from the time we left UK, decided where he wanted to eat lunch on his birthday.

So we sauntered down to Gouvia Marina and stopped for a Freddo Cappucino, which had become one of our favourite mid morning treats, prior to lunch.

Online booking ....

Kontokali Lake House has wifi, so we took the opportunity of booking Malcolm's birthday lunch online the day before. 

However, we hadn't received confirmation, so whilst Malcolm was having his coffee I popped along to confirm in person.  I received a very warm welcome and was told we could have a table overlooking the marina. 

Happy now :)

Olympia Mare here we come .....

And this is Malcolm's smug face when he gets what he wants :)

Bubbly?  Why not ..... whilst we choose from the delicious, get your taste buds going, menu.

Actually we had pretty much decided that we were definitely having fish.....and we weren't disappointed with our choice.

For me Tuna (which was huge!) and Malcolm had the 'catch of the day' Dorado.

Absolutely delicious.  Great food and very friendly service, along with bubbly and good company, of course, brings a smile to my face.

Now after that huge lunch we thought we ought to go for a stroll.  

And no better place than the Marina where you can get lost in a world of yachts. 

 And if superyachts are what you aspire to then this is the place to be.

Things you need to know:

• The Marina gets busier in the evenings so if you want to eat out booking is recommended.
• Changeover days for the yachties!  We found Friday and Saturday busy there and a real buzz about the place.  So if you like quieter days visit midweek.
• We highly recommend Olympia Mare for their food and service.

Thanks for visiting, look forward to seeing you again soon ...... wherever that may be :)