AN AFTERNOON IN MARLOW

I've written about Marlow on my blog before, last time we went it was very cold and very fresh! It was still a little chilly last time we went but the sun did come out in the afternoon, so much so we could actually take our coats off.

Last time I complained about the lack of coffee spots, unfortunately not much has changed so instead we decided to drop into some back streets and explore a different side of Marlow. As you can see the architecture is lovely and still maintains the old English look so prevalent around Bucks, the old river side houses are to die for, especially when they come complete with their own dock.

We also stopped at the Marlow lock to watch a few boats come and go, including the junior British rowing team! On the way back to the car we stopped at a pub to soak up some sunshine and a glass of wine before heading home.

NEW YORK PT I

New York seems like an eternity away, a colossal expanse in time and space with memories that are beginning to fade like smoke in the night. Much has changed post visit, life has been a smooth, rough, fast, slow, exuberant ride since Hannah and I returned from the City in April.

Its been said that New York made me who I am today, that it changed and shaped me so drastically during my brief 15 days at the tender age of 18, and I have never been the same again. I would tend to agree.

Although this visit wasn't quite so life changing, it was brilliant and needless to say I LOVE THIS CITY. The ambiance, food, culture, hustle and bustle, shopping, raw emotion, architecture, photogenic spaces and history make New York City top of my visited list. Did I also mention there are a ton of Frenchies there? It couldn't get much more brilliant. And with that here is Part I of our trip.

Our first couple of days were spend exploring Tompkins Square Park, The High Line Park, The Guggenheim and Grand Central. We also visiting every Apple store in the city and meet the crazy talented Alice Gao after Hannah and I have followed her for a few years, regrettably we didn't take any photos and simply grabbed a coffee at La Colombe Torrefaction for a little chat.


We also had some amazing eats including Abraco Espresso, Peels, Tompkins Square Bagels, Butter Lane Cupcakes, Yoshi Sushi and Nai Tapas Bar. I'm so smitten with the idea of eating a different cuisine in an independent restaurant at affordable prices whenever you feel like it with no worries about running out of new places to try. Around Bucks we seem stuck with chain Italian Restaurants and Nandos - so depressing!

MUM & DAD'S ANNIVERSARY

My parents celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on 23rd May 2012 and to celebrate they arranged a garden party consisting of all their closest family & friends with a ceremony to have their vows renewed by the Vicar that married them 25 years ago. They managed to pull this off exactly to the date they got married to make the day even more special.

The entire day was perfect as we had beautiful weather (the first real day of summer this year), wonderful food, amazing company and a ceremony to rival any wedding including speeches from Ben, myself and my Dad's best man from all those years ago.

BOGNOR REGIS

Bognor Regis - the quintessential British sea side town complete with a Butlins just to make it really English

Being a country boy (the home counties no less) I rarely see the sea but I had to travel down south for work one morning and thought it might be interesting to take a look at the sea front in case something had changed over the last few years. I can safely say the sea is still there and Bognor is as miserable as ever!

Since Hannah is a Vancouver girl and has grown up surrounded by water I promised her we'd have a road trip with Eggs to a nice stretch of coast for a relaxed day of picnicking in the sunshine, when we get the sunshine? Maybe? Sometime soon? Please?!

HANNAH'S BIRTHDAY 2012

Miss Hannah Meyer aka 'Tiny' turned the grand old age of 23 last Thursday, to celebrate I've been up to my usual antics of un-Birthdays and real Birthdays just to keep her on her toes. It started on Sunday with a post work surprise involving freshly baked mint Aero cupcakes and a cardboard moose head followed by a spot of dinner whilst the sun shone.

On the morning of her Birthday I worked from home so we could have breakfast and one final present she wasn't expecting before heading out for a spot of lunch at Seasons Cafe & Deli, a walk along the river in Old Amersham and a spot of window shopping in our new favourite spot Whippet Grey.

In the evening we dropped Eggs at my parents and drove to Beaconsfield to try Achimi the only place around here for Sushi. It didn't disappoint!