Having spent seven days on Barbados and wanting to experience a smaller, less commercialised island we headed to the airport and caught a Caribbean Airways flight to Grenada. Considered one of the top ten safest islands in the Caribbean we were welcomed to the island with fantastic sea views as our plane landed off the Caribbean Sea and hit the runway with continuous views of the beautiful azure waters to our right.
Introduction and Origins: Historically Grenada was inhabited by the peaceful Arawak Indians before the Carib Indians took over by force. Then when Christopher Columbus sighted the island in 1498, he named it “Concepción”. The island, however, remained uncolonized for over a century due to the Caribs’ resistance. In the 17th century, French settlers established a colony here and the island became a key producer of sugar, and then later nutmeg and mace. Control then shifted between France and Britain until finally Grenada was formally ceded to Britain in 1763 under the Treaty of Paris.
Grenada then went on to become a self-governing state in association with Britain in 1967 and gained full independence on February 7, 1974. Unfortunately post independence, in 1979 the island experienced a left-wing Government bloodless coup. This led to strained relations with the US and it’s allies culminating in 1983 with the US invading Grenada following the overthrow and execution of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, leading to the reinstatement of the 1974 constitution and free elections in 1984. The island is now a member of the Commonwealth and continues to be involved in international affairs.
English is the country’s official language but, if like us, you occasionally struggle to understand the local people outside of the main tourist areas, it’s because the main spoken language is one of two creole languages: Grenadian Creole English and, less frequently, Grenadian Creole French or ‘patois’ which reflects the African, European, and native heritage of the nation.
Today Grenada’s economy relies heavily on agriculture, particularly spices and also tourism. It is a main stop off point for cruise ships with hundreds of passengers being dispensed daily, Monday to Friday, onto the shores of the island. The island still maintains early closing on a Saturday and the majority of shops are closed on Sunday.
Grenada is nicknamed the Island of Spices with an endless amount of independent stalls being set up to tempt visitors into buying a souvenir. Nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and cocoa are grown in the country for export, along with various vegetables and fruits. Spices are such an important part of the island’s heritage that nutmeg even features on the island’s flag. Interestingly every third resident of the state is a fisherman and the island exports tuna to the US and Europe.
The currency is The East Caribbean Dollar although prices are also often quoted in US Dollars to accommodate the US Cruise ships.
Geographically the island is 21 miles long and 12 miles wide and in 2023 recorded a population just over 117,000. Grenada is made up of six parishes of which St George’s in the south west is the main tourist area and includes both the capital city and international airport. They drive on the left hand side of the road, most hire cars are automatic and whilst the roads are quite narrow and can be very steep they are reasonably well maintained. Look out for the bus drivers though who seem to compete with each other to reach the next bus stop quickest! I just pulled over and let them go by.
One of the island’s most famous residents is Sir Kirani James who was born in Gouyave in the north west of the island. In 2011 James won the 400m at the World Championships in a personal best of 44.60 seconds, becoming the youngest 400 metres world champion at the age of just 18. The following year in 2012 he took the gold medal in the 400m final at the London Olympics in a time of 43.94, a national record, earning Grenada its first-ever Olympic medal and becoming the first non-US runner to break the 44-second mark. He will forever be famous on the island with the new athletic stadium in St George being named after him.
In conclusion the island is a haven of rolling hills drenched in rainforest and waterfalls. We visited both Annandale and Concorde Falls- the latter being our favourite. Be prepared for the locals diving off the top in exchange for a cash donation!
The island disappointingly for us was very lacking in wildlife. Grenada definitely felt a little more ‘undiscovered’ than many of the Caribbean islands although the people were incredibly friendly, welcoming and helpful.
Top Three Must-Do Experiences: Over the next couple of posts I will give you my personal highlights from our trip to the island starting with……
Go To The Beach and Explore The Caribbean Sea: No trip to Grenada is complete without a visit to the beach. If you are looking for sun loungers and umbrellas then the best place to go is Grande Anse. With two miles of beautiful white sand and the transparent waters of the Caribbean it is definitely a beautiful place to relax.
Quick Tip: Try and sit away from the wooden jetty, which is just in front of the Spice Market because this is where all the cruise ship passengers are dropped off starting at about 10 a.m. They are greeted by what seems like two separate groups of locals vying for their trade and leading them left or right to empty sunbeds. To be fair the cost of the sunbeds etc are pretty static regardless of where you decide to sit. Other locals will offer to bring you drinks and food from the market but be aware prices are higher than if you venture there yourself. They are very friendly and do not take offence if you do not take up their offer.
The water is warm and inviting with smooth sand underfoot most of the way out. I spent time snorkelling and happily saw a variety of small to medium fish.
If you are based in this south west area and want somewhere less crowded and where you are happy to DIY, throw down your towel and bring your own picnic then venture around the headland to Morne Rouge / BBC Beach or Magazine Beach.
If you have a hire car and wish to venture out around the island then try Levera Beach and Bathway Beach which are both in the far north east of the island. Again these are DIY beaches. If you fancy combining one or both of these with a full day out then it’s worth contacting the Petit Anse Hotel and Restaurant. They have an organised three mile walk on Sunday Morning through David to Duquesne Bay. You then get picked up and taken back to the hotel and can stay to partake in their weekly BBQ before heading out afterwards by car to spend the rest of your day on the beach.
On my next post I’ll be chatting about getting under the sea to the famous Sculpture Park……………..
The joy of visiting the island of Barbados on more than one occasion is that you get to discover the island from a new perspective or to experience some of the special annual events that the island holds.
Getting Out On The Caribbean Sea: Whilst traversing the island by rental car is truly beneficial some friends of ours recommended a day out on the beautiful Caribbean Sea. Having now experienced this on two separate occasions I can truly recommend “Silver Moon”. There are many “boat trips” available on the island catering to every price point from glass bottom boat tours to the Atlantis Submarines to the Cool Runnings Catamaran tour. Silver Moon is also a catamaran but adds that extra bit of pizzazz to a great day out on the Caribbean Sea. Limited to just twelve guests and with “adult only” bookings available, if you prefer to avoid the company of children, they truly know how to make you feel special. They have been sailing the Barbados coastline on their luxury catamarans since 1984 however after testing the waters on ships both big and small, they started Silver Moon, Barbados in 2002 with just one luxury catamaran. Successfully growing the business to now incorporate three catamarans they sail twice daily at 9.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m.
You can book in advance on line and don’t forget with only 12 voyagers on each trip if you want a specific date as we did to celebrate my birthday it’s worth securing your date early.
Your day begins with a pick up from your accommodation whether that is a luxury villa, a hotel or a rental property. In the capable hands of your friendly and personable driver you are transferred to the dock where the group is split according to the boat and price you have chosen at the time of booking: Silver Moon, Silver Moon 3 or Silver Dancer. Silver Moon provides the exclusive XL Premium Tour and from the moment you leave the dock you are made to feel that little bit more special. The boat has ensuite cabins, fresh water showers both indoors and at the stern, salons for indoor dining, and cockpits for alfresco dining and pure relaxation!
Leaving your daypack inside the salon it’s not long before you are sunbathing, with a drink in hand and admiring the tropical blue waters. For the next five hours it is very easy to slip into relaxation mode whilst also getting to know your fellow passengers, should you wish. You never know who you might meet! The crew are both professional, friendly and helpful with two stops during the trip. The first to swim/snorkel with the sea turtles ensuring at all times that respect is given to these beautiful sea creatures and then a second stop above a shipwreck or reef. The route taken is devised by the Captain that day based upon the weather, particularly the winds, and avoiding anchoring in the vicinity of other boats to ensure privacy. Full snorkelling equipment and instruction are also included. It’s not unusual to be on board with other passengers who have also been before as repeat custom is not unusual.
Hors D’oeuvres are served prior to the main buffet lunch which is laid out in the salon. There is plenty for everyone with usually chicken and fish dishes plus salads, rice and/or pasta and Bajan Mac n cheese. As you then make your way back to the port you can once again relax, lie back outside on the rigging and let the breeze catch your hair!
Visit the Races: Horse racing isn’t what you probably expect in Barbados but a day at the races here is another very special unique day out with the Barbadian Gold Cup being the peak event of the season. The race has been run every year since 1982 in late February/March.
Located in the Historic Garrison Savannah and part of the UNESCO World Heritage site, close to the capital, Bridgetown this has been the home of horse racing in Barbados since 1845. The officers of the British Regiment, who were stationed in Barbados, used what was then the parade ground to match their horses in races and the wealthy merchants and planters later joined them.
In typical Bajan style, the horse racing calendar for the following year, isn’t announced until late in the Autumn so unless you are arranging a holiday at short notice it isn’t always easy to plan to include this day out as part of your visit to the island. This year, 2025, there are 22 race days starting on January 4th and then spread out throughout the year until the last meet of the season being on Boxing Day. March 1st was Gold Cup Day and July 26th is the Barbados Derby Day. Information on entrance prices etc are available on the official website of the Barbados Turf Club but tickets cannot be purchased on line only at the on site box office. This might seem a little disappointing in the digital era but it does ensure complete fairness for both locals and visitors to the island. You can ring, in advance, to enquire as to ticket availability.
Gates open an hour before the first race and like everything else on the island this a day for everyone including families with children with a choice of tickets available. If you want to enjoy the excitement and atmosphere from the stands then you can do this, whilst others will bring their own picnic and enjoy the informal atmosphere lounging in the shade of the tall trees surrounding the track.
We absolutely loved our day out at the races. This might be a small island but the excitement produced by the exuberant spectators is contagious. Whilst the betting system is different to what we are accustomed to in the UK it doesn’t take long to understand and you are readily parting with your Bajan dollars in the hope of securing the winner.
I have written three other posts about Barbados highlighting my favourite things to do on the island If you want any more ideas or information about the island by all means comment and get in touch.
With its warm tropical climate there are many different places open to the public where you can fill your soul with peace, tranquillity and beautiful flora. My two favourite gardens on the island are Andromeda Gardens and Hunte’s Gardens. Both have been developed over a number of years by individuals who fell in love with horticulture and have left a long standing legacy.
Andromeda Gardens;
Developed by Iris Bannochie (1914-1988) who was known as the leading expert on horticulture on the island. Amongst other attributes she was a founding member of the Barbados National Trust and for many years President of the Barbados Orchid Circle and the Barbados Horticultural Society (BHS). She travelled the world collecting exotic and beautiful plants and led the BHS in repeatedly winning gold and silver medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London. In 1977, she was awarded the Veitch Memorial Medal by the RHS for her contribution to tropical horticulture. Andromeda is the largest and oldest garden in Barbados sited on the East Coast of the island just above Bathsheba. With 8 acres and over 500 species you are literally spoilt from the minute you enter.
It’s always a great start when you are greeted by a smiley face and in this case it is quite often Sharon Cooke. She is always so happy to explain all about the history of the gardens and how they developed before explaining how the on line guide works. They have wifi so it is easily downloadable. I personally love a guide sheet so I can follow it around, understand what we are looking at and hopefully not miss anything en route.
This garden is honestly a little piece of paradise tucked away from the hustle n bustle of the rest of the island which I urge everyone to visit (it is accessible by bus if you don’t drive, call them and they will give you guidance and support). It was originally created by Iris back in 1950 and opened to the public in the 1970”s. Iris was definitely a lady who lived before her time searching the world over for plants, shrubs n trees that she could plant here in order to transform the landscape. We loved how she had created small gardens within one large garden like the palm tree area, for example, where there are couple of trees that are on the list of possible extinction! We also enjoyed sitting and just being, absorbing the sounds and smells around us. Listening to the bird song and watching the wildlife including one little fellow who landed on a leaf above us and reminded us of “Harry” from a very long running UK programme filmed in the Caribbean.
There are strategically placed seats throughout so plenty of opportunities just to relax n enjoy this beautiful corner of Barbados.
We are NT members back in the UK which means we could have received a discount but tbh we were happy to pay the full price and support this wonderful cause.
Hunte’s Gardens:
Opened in 2007 we visited Hunte’s Gardens on our most recent trip and were fortunate to actually meet and speak to its creator Anthony Hunte. Purchased in 1990 and with the assistance of five workers, Anthony has transformed this 2.5 acre space which was originally a “sink hole” or collapsed cave into a beautiful paradise frequented by butterflies and many species of birds including hummingbirds. At the entrance you are greeted by this lovely statue (below) which exemplifies exactly the world you are about to enter. An area of beautiful tranquillity with strategically placed chairs of all descriptions for you to sit and really take in your surroundings.
Blending nature with art the gardens are a real sanctuary for the soul with an array of tropical plants that Anthony has hand-picked from all around the world which have flourished in the Barbados soil.
Having experienced the gardens themselves you can also walk back up to the top, where Anthony’s house and the old stables still stand, to partake of a refreshing drink, in my case it was a lovely unsweetened ice tea before heading back out onto your travels around the island.
In my next post you can read about a couple of different experiences I have had on the island, ideal for that special occasion! If you want any more ideas or information about places to visit on the island by all means comment and get in touch.
There is a full range of gastronomic delights to be had on the island including a Michelin star experience at The Cliff which sits on the Platinum coast -that’s the famous West Coast with it’s magnificent golden sandy beaches where celebrity spotting is for some a regular pastime. I’ve personally tried Tides in Holetown, another island favourite where you may spot the odd celebrity and to be fair the service was second to none I’ve experienced worldwide. The food is fabulous but it all comes at a price!
However, I much prefer to eat like a local and really experience proper home cooked Bajan food. Having been fortunate enough to learn some traditional Bajan dishes from my previous mother-in-law I will spend time on the island searching out these homestyle venues and my absolute favourite is GRANDENES:
Don’t be fooled by the surroundings this is not like all the expensive restaurants in the near vicinity this is Shane and his parents Granville and Nadine ( hence the name Grandenes) serving up excellent authentic Bajan food for less than 50 Bajan dollars a plate! You get a choice of protein to which you can add up to two carbs plus sides. On my first visit I had rice n peas n macaroni pie with fried chicken but I’ve also tried the breadfruit pie, green banana cou cou, vegetable rice and baked chicken. There is plenty to choose from. They also have a good bar and were the first restaurant on the island that also served virgin cocktails for those of us driving to and from our accommodation!
When we weren’t talking to Shane about his experience of growing up on the island and having quite an in depth discussion between him n my other half about the West Indies vs England cricket we were watching all the locals arriving to collect their takeaways.
I learnt a long time ago if the locals eat somewhere that’s the place to be and that is certainly the case here!
Let me now introduce you to something completely different -PEG: Possibly unexpected on the island but still based on the concept of local Bajan food, PEG stands for People-Environment -Growth and is a farm and nature sanctuary dedicated to developing the first biodynamic farm on Barbados. Based upon the four key principles of biodynamics – free range animal husbandry – broad acre permaculture and holistic management they have restored the soil damaged by centuries of sugarcane plantation.
In addition to providing a campsite for guests to stay on site they also have their own cafe and it was here that I celebrated my birthday this year back in February. It is definitely worth contacting them in advance to book a table as they do get busy and being tucked away in the parish of St Joseph on some of the highest land on the island it is a long way to go to find they cannot accommodate you.
Seated on the open air verandah you are blessed with beautiful views of the island and warm tropical breezes. Using their biodynamic, locally grown produce and free range pasture-raised animal products, meals are prepared fresh in the open plan kitchen. The smell alone will make your mouth water even before it is presented to you on the plate to eat.
We actually learnt about this place from the recent BBC series “Clive Myrie’s Caribbean Adventure” and will definitely return on our next visit to the island. In the meantime don’t leave without taking the walk out to the edge of the farm where the views across the East coast are breath-taking!
On Friday you can read about my third favourite thing to do on the island and that is to find Peace and Tranquillity! If you want any more ideas or information about places to eat on the island by all means comment and get in touch.
I am fortunate to have now visited this island on three separate occasions; firstly in 2007 for two weeks with my two children (their grandparents on my previous husband’s side originate from the island), then again in 2022 for three weeks and finally last week prior to flying to Grenada.
Introduction and Origins: Barbados has two official seasons– The Rainy Season (June to November) and The Dry Season (December to May) and an average temperature year round of 28 degrees. On both of my last two visits I have left the Winter weather of the UK behind and visited the island in Feb/March. As you step from your plane, clamber down the stairs onto the open tarmac you are immediately blessed with the warmth of the Caribbean sunshine. Walking into the terminal, everywhere your eyes wander you see a vivid tapestry of colours, friendly faces and your body seems to react by just relaxing into the “island vibe” with it’s laid-back attitude towards life’s challenges. Before you even leave the airport you know you are now on “island time”.
The island is actually named after a tree. When the Portuguese first discovered the island in 1536 the Bearded Fig Tree was found all over the island. “Los Barbados” is Portuguese for “The Bearded One.” The British established a colony here in 1627 and unlike other Caribbean islands, Barbados has never been invaded by a foreign power since. The British began by growing cotton and tobacco before establishing a sugar industry in the 1640s.
Barbados sought it’s independence from Great Britain on November 30, 1966 nearly 60 years ago and on 30 November 2021, Barbados transitioned to a republic within the Commonwealth, replacing the British monarchy with a ceremonial President -Sandra Mason.
English is the official language of Barbados although most people speak a dialect called Bajan that can differ from parish to parish, of which there are 11 with the capital – Bridgetown located in the south-west parish of St. Michael. They drive on the left hand side of the road and most hire cars are automatic.
The island is 21 miles long and 14 miles wide and in 2023 recorded a population just over 282,000, over 92% of these people are black with only 2.7% recorded as white. Nearly 76% are recorded as Christian.
The currency in Barbados is The Barbados Dollar (BDS) which is tied to the US Dollar (US $1 = BDS $2)
Its most famous resident is of course Rihanna who was born and bred in a bungalow in Bridgetown on a road now famously named Rihanna Drive.
Top Three Must-Do Experiences: Over the next couple of posts I will give you my personal highlights from my trips to this beautiful island.
FirstlyGo To The Beach: You cannot possibly visit the island without spending time on a beach. There are over 60 to choose from and definitely somewhere to suit everyone. If you are looking for soft sand and calm waters then head south or west. If, however, you wish to surf then head over to the East coast where the World Surfing League’s Barbados Surf Pro takes place every year.
I’m personally not a fan of empty beaches with no facilities where you have to bring everything with you from your towel to lie on, to your own food and drink. I think it’s because when I was a child and we went for holidays and days out to the seaside I got somewhat used to home-made sandwiches which came complete with grains of sand! However take me to a beach crowded with sunbeds and umbrellas, music playing at a beach bar and visitors squeezed in like sardines and I also won’t be happy. I like a happy medium so here are my two favourites in Barbados both on the West coast.
Folkestone Marine Park: Just above Holetown as you drive towards Speightstown this is a Marine Protected Area. Ideal for snorkelling you can swim around the inshore reef found in the Recreational Zone of the Park. This reef is found about one-third of a mile offshore and is home to numerous fish and other marine life, including sea anemones, sea lilies, corals and sponges. Alternatively you may wish to paddle board, swim, bring a picnic (tables provided amongst the trees), stroll the boardwalk or just worship the sun on a lounger with an umbrella.
On our first visit we arrived around 10, parked easily and wandered down onto the beach. There were four of us and we happily paid the guy for four sunbeds and two umbrellas. The beach is not that big so it did fill up quite quickly. My son and his partner had forgotten their snorkelling equipment so made an enquiry of the sunbed man as to where they could get some, and duly purchased two masks from the on site shop. The sunbed man returned and enquired as to why they had no flippers and my son explained he had small feet for a man and none of them fitted him. Two minutes later the man returned with a pair to lend him. I mention this because it is an example of how friendly and helpful Bajan folk are.
The changing area and toilets were also immaculately clean and there was a lady employed to oversee the area to ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment. As lunchtime approached a small cafe was set up behind us with tables and chairs and hot food was available to buy. There is also a beach bar to the left as you look at the sea if you prefer to sit n have a drink n a chat.
Where we returned for a second visit, finding all the sunbeds taken we walked around the corner to the left (as you look at the sea) and ambled across the beach. There are two distinct areas with sunbeds and umbrellas attached to two hotels where you cannot sit unless you are a resident. The beaches are all public in Barbados it’s just the hotels that don’t want you to know this! HOWEVER we discovered that between these areas there is a blank area of sand where a local team have set up who happily bring out sunbeds and umbrellas for you and supply cold drinks obviously at a cost but no more expensive than anywhere else we went to. The guys were really friendly and welcoming. In front of this area is a lovely little reef, cordoned off from jet skis etc where the snorkelling was great.
Reed’s Bay: Ssh! It’s a secret. Not everyone has found this lovely spot yet. It’s sited next to the Thunder Bay sign, on the left, travelling north up the west coast past Holetown and heading towards Speightstown. On our first visit we were greeted by Faye who helped us to park. ” Just block those cars in” she said “I’ll come n get you if you need to move it” and that was the introduction to this family run lovely little enclave. Faye sorted us out with two sunbeds and an umbrella, expertly put up by another member of the family. Lunch was served hot, again by the family with a choice of Barbadian specialities, cold drinks and snacks. When we first visited back in 2022 the food was cooked in Mum’s kitchen and then brought across the road but now they have their own little on site kitchen producing typical Bajan specialities. There is also a beach bar although we didn’t use it and just a bit beyond the bar another small business hiring out paddleboards, canoes etc. A lovely Caribbean sandy beach with crystal clear waters, calm sea and more snorkelling opportunities,
On Tuesday you can read about my second favourite thing to do on the island and that is to EAT! If you want any more ideas or information about the beaches on the island by all means comment and get in touch.
I’ve not posted anything onto my blog for nearly two months. My whole motivation has failed me, the words didn’t even accumulate in my brain much less make themselves to the page. I guess for a full time author/writer this must be what “writers’ block” feels like. It’s only now that I’m actually able to make sense of this break from my blog.
I thought I had life down to a tee and then suddenly I was thrown into a maelstrom and found myself inside a “life tornado” that was both unexpected and harder than I thought to get out of. Getting life back on track has been both demanding and at times saddening. Before 2024 I probably considered myself somewhat invincible in so much as I could normally deal with anything that life threw at me. But life sometimes has a way of stopping us in our tracks and reminding us that none of us are in fact invincible, in fact we are anything but.
Every member of my close family had emotional demands placed upon them at some point last year. New challenges to overcome, new perspectives to find and above all else greater strengths to muster in order to move on with their lives. For once in 2024 I had found myself at a loss to bounce back. As the year drifted towards it’s fruition I couldn’t find the energy or impetus to write posts, travel planning slipped into the background and I even lost interest in Christmas which for me has always been a major part of my annual calendar. The build up of seeking out presents to suit friends and family, the dressing of the tree and house with lights and decorations, preparation for key events during this holiday season, it all just swept past me. I hate the fact that all those familiar family rituals are disappearing as my children head out into the world and make lives for themselves. Other parents in similar situations turn this into a positive and go off to other countries and climates to pursue their own plans, ideas and adventures but this just didn’t appeal. I think deep down I thought that if I railed against it enough everything would eventually become right but alas it did not.
All these different issues were still spinning around me on New Years Eve and I actually put my faith in the idea that we would wave goodbye to all of the stress, emotion and chaos that has ensued and start a new more joyous year in 2025 but no life just sent us another piece of bad news that actual night. When was this ever going to end? More disappointing news followed a couple of weeks ago and I got to a point where I just felt so lost and angry. I wanted to stand in the garden and just rail at the universe!
How do you get back on track I asked myself when the tornado just keeps spinning?
Despite lacking the motivation to pack the suitcases and head to the train station for a pre planned trip to the Caribbean to celebrate my birthday, I went through the motions. It sounds mad but at the time I just couldn’t have cared less whether I got on the train or not.
However the change of scenery and pace of life is definitely helping. I’ve had time to step off the roundabout and just breathe. I have spent some time going back over some of my personal posts that I’ve created, written and posted in particular one called “The Philosophical Me” –https://amidlifeadventure.org/2023/03/07/midlife-the-philosophical-me/ Being here has enabled me to embrace the escapism, to take time to realise just how fortunate I am to even be here in the sunshine. I’ve read intensely and actually felt the stories written upon the pages rather than just consuming the print. I’ve binge watched a favourite Netflix series, caught up on some of my subscription magazines that were just stacking up in the corner of “the den” back home and enjoyed interacting with people from all walks of life.
Life is always going to throw us curve balls, there will always be lumps and bumps in the road but these are all part of this wonderful thing called “life”. I’ve subconsciously reminded myself that sometimes its good to stop and take a break, to take yourself away from the situation that is bearing down upon you, to take time to look at the view in front of you instead of looking behind you. None of us can change the past we can only shape our future and then when we feel refreshed we are able to continue the adventure that is life. Life is ours today but tomorrow is promised to no man so I’m finding the joy in just living and breathing and appreciating all that I have. I’m beginning to feel that when I return home it will be with renewed vitality and a clearer mind.
As part of a recent trip to Essex to catch up with relatives before Christmas we spent time exploring the London Christmas Markets -see previous post: https://amidlifeadventure.org/2024/12/15/exploring-the-christmas-markets-in-london/ Whilst in London we also took time out to catch the Christmas lights in Carnaby Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street.
Christmas Lights: I hadn’t been to London to do this for some 20+ years since my children were small and we lived in Essex. I cannot even begin to explain my disappointment. This was Carnaby Street for example!
There I was hoping and, to be honest, probably expecting it to have not unduly changed. I craved Christmas spirit and was looking for this experience to top up my Spirit of Christmas bucket which was, at this point, not even halfway full! Instead I was just dumb founded. Where were all the multi coloured twinkling lights? I remember strolling down the whole length of both Oxford Street and Regent Street stopping only to buy myself and the children mugs of hot chocolate to stave off the cold. Back then time flew as we stopped every few minutes to stand still and gaze in awe. Each set of lights would display something different; Christmas bells, stars, presents with bows, angels, tinsel. Every emblem of Christmas could be found and you were committed to walking the length of these streets so you didn’t miss anything.
The lights this year were still pretty but they were all the same. This was Oxford Street…..
Just strings of silvery lights with stars on the end and this was Regent Street
Golden angels with wings. Nothing else just row after row of the same design. Tourists from home and abroad used to flock to London to see the lights and I’m sure were often tempted into shops whilst strolling the length of these streets. Regent Street even boldly displayed a message…..
In case you cannot read it this is a close up.
The Spirit of Christmas! Sorry where is that then?
Lakeside Shopping Centre: Disappointed by this inadequate display we took ourselves to the Lakeside Shopping Centre the following day to focus upon some Christmas shopping and in the hope that our own spirit of Christmas might be restored. The decorations were not really any better….
I thought this was actually embarrassing but I guess it is aimed at the Insta crowd.
I’m not sure if this is suppose to look elegant or they had a batch delivery of gold baubles. It certainly doesn’t substantiate the message below of “Destination Christmas” to me.
This was a little better but again I remember a time when you would take your children to the “Turning on of the Lights” at your local shopping centre. The children would get all excited as a known personality prepared the switch-on and when the countdown was complete everyone would exclaim in wonder at the magic on display in front of them. The lights on display in my nearest market town of Dursley look better than any of those I’ve seen up in London. I actually find it incredibly sad.
Commercialisation Yes that dreaded word where everything is managed or run principally for financial gain. That was the word that rang in my ears when I was driving back home from our four night break. It feels like even Christmas is being lost to this one word. No one in retail seems to do anything purely for uplifting peoples’ spirits anymore. Strolling through the lights in London used to be a beautiful experience for families and couples alike at a minimal expense but now it’s like a token gesture. The people who sit and make the decisions about these decorations are only doing something it seems rather than nothing. I find it really sad and very indicative of this world we now live in.
Perhaps it’s not what the majority want anymore, maybe people are so busy shopping they take no notice. Maybe destination shopping centres are just that, a destination? Our experience at Lakeside certainly seemed to indicate this. It was like a swarm of locusts descending upon the shops. Listening to conversations around me I heard comments like “oh that will do for auntie so and so”, ” Well we have to get the nieces and nephews something, yes you’re right we’ll just get them all pyjamas”, “We can’t turn up without a present that will do”. What happened to actually putting in some thought as to what would suit Auntie? What the nieces and nephews might be interested in or even showing up with a handmade present? Where is the care, the joy of gift giving? I fear it is disappearing.
It was just a crazy experience, people were shopping with their babies/toddlers in buggies with car-phone style attachments so the child could watch the mobile phone or tablet while the parent(s) shopped, hopefully I’m guessing without any interruption from said child. An absolute ton of money was no doubt being spent all in the name of turning up with a present.
To cap off our trip and prior to meeting family for lunch on the Sunday we popped to Pitsea Market in order to peruse the stalls for presents and also wreaths for family graves. Romford Market used to be a favourite haunt of mine when I lived in Essex, pre 2005, and again you could feel the spirit of Christmas as you wandered the stalls. Alas that is just a memory now. Pitsea was once again heaving, the stalls were overflowing the parameters of the market and nearly every single one was selling “knock off” gear. It appeared that everyone was so caught up on delivering “named brand” presents to their loved ones that there was no regard for the fact that what they were buying was 100% not the real thing. How many famous brands can you spot by the packaging here?
Apple Air pods £10. Jo Malone candles £15
Uggs at £10 or £15
How on earth do these market traders get away with this? What happened to Trading Standards?
This is yet another form of commercialisation. Fulfilling the need of the consumer for financial gain whilst totally disregarding authenticity. I was even made aware of videos on TikTok blatantly displaying this law breaking activity.
Have we just completely lost the spirit of Christmas? Christmas used to be about friends and family gathering together to eat, drink and be merry. It was the act of giving a present, no matter how small to show your appreciation for a person. It was the wonderful countdown that children enjoyed in their eager anticipation of Father Christmas arriving on Christmas morning to deliver presents. Someone, just this week, said to me ” Our children only receive one present from Father Christmas each, we don’t hang up stockings or leave sacks of presents by the tree. ” when I enquired why, the response was “We live in a commercial world where so many children demand really expensive presents these days from Mobile phones to iPads to Gaming stations from Father Christmas. When that child returns to school post Christmas and tells their friends what they received from Santa what does the child who received a colouring book and crayons think? That Santa doesn’t love them as much? “ “We give them one present from Santa and then the remaining presents are from us as parents, we feel that is fairer” .
On the YouGov polling site this week I even read that some people are having to forego Christmas this year because they simply cannot afford it and do not want to get themselves into debt as a result.
This is so far away from the real spirit of Christmas, what on earth is this world coming to? When did it stop being about sharing the spirit of Christmas and instead become such a commercialised venture?
I would love to hear some feedback on this opinion piece particularly how you feel you maintain the Christmas Spirit in this ever changing world
Day two of our visit to Essex led us to the train station at Stanford-Le-Hope and heading up to London. We had stupidly forgotten to use our railcard at the ticket office which would have saved us a third off our fare. If you live in the UK you probably know all about railcards but if you are visiting from abroad it is worth looking into on line as there are so many to choose from which save you money if you are using the trains to get around.
It takes just under an hour to roll into Fenchurch Street Station. We are slightly early as the markets don’t open until 11 a.m. so we grab a coffee and a cake at Costa Coffee at Tower Hill. I’d received an offer from them recently where if you spend £20 on a gift voucher they would add another £5 to the total. As we were likely to be out and about a lot over the Christmas period it seemed like a good idea to save a bit of money and so I paid for the voucher and gifted it to myself! I had also been awarded a free drink in November and had saved this too for when we came to London where the prices are much higher than at home. Ever the bargain hunter me!
The winter sun was still rising as we approached the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. The tourist crowds were out in force reminding me that London is a top destination for visitors at this time of year. I managed to snap this photo of the sun’s Winter rays reflecting off the water of the Thames before we walked across to the South side of London.
Christmas by the River: The first market on our adventure today is aptly named “Christmas by the River” and starts at Tower Bridge and meanders its way along the banks of the Thames to London Bridge. The very first stall exudes Thai spices backed by the sizzle of a hot wok. My mouth waters as I spot the samples being prepared and displayed on the front counter. This is my type of food but lunch is still a couple of hours away and so I drag myself away and focus instead upon the wooden cabins displaying gifts. I’m a little disappointed, there aren’t as many as I was expecting from the pictures I had seen on line, particularly when you eliminate those selling food and drinks. It’s not long before we reach London Bridge and are checking out our next port of call.
Hay’s Galleria My research had alerted to me to this indoor arcade with its huge vaulted roof inside of which is a sculpture by David Kemp. This rivet-covered bronze sculpture known as The Navigators, is something to behold, with the face of a man and the body of an industrial-age ship. The 60-foot sculpture is actually an enormous kinetic machine which when activated has oars that move through the water at it’s sides. It was installed in 1987 during the renovation of Hay’s Galleria, which saw the conversion of this old wharf into the current shopping arcade.
Also taking pride of place at this time of year is the grand Christmas tree which is worth looking at although the rest of the arcade was a little disappointing and somewhat lacking in Christmas spirit again compared to the pictures I had seen on line from previous years.
Borough Market: This market is on a lot of tourists’ “must visit lists” and as it was en route to our next Christmas Market destination we thought we would stop by. Be prepared to fight your way through the hordes of people, it is intensely busy! It ranks as one of the largest and oldest food markets in London, having had a market here dating back to at least the 12th century. The present buildings were built in the 1850s and nowadays, the market is home to over 100 stalls, stands, shops, restaurants and bars. You can buy a whole host of fresh produce: cheese, meat, fish, fruit and veggies, alongside pantry items like oil, condiments and coffee. There are also street food stalls selling everything from falafel wraps to pies to noodles. We were here around lunchtime and the queues were immense causing us to hold onto our hunger and look further on our trail. Before departing though I have to mention the artisan bread stalls, these are my favourite and I cannot wait to come back here in the summer to buy some freshly made bread for a picnic!
Check out the cheese mountain on this photo
Southbank Christmas Market: Our path leads us back onto the river bank and eventually to the SouthBank Christmas Market. It’s beginning to feel like we are on “Christmas Market Repeat” . The stalls are once again in essence the same as those we have viewed already. It’s beginning to feel like one person is running the contract for these markets and companies wishing to sell their goods are offered a bulk buy discount resulting in the same companies displaying their wares at every market. There is very little variety which is really disappointing. Unfortunately one stall that hasn’t repeated is the original Thai food stall so in the absence of anyone selling something that tempts our taste buds we eventually decide to take a break and get lunch at Wagamama instead. We can sit indoors on what is proving to be quite a cold Winter’s day, enjoy some Asian inspired food and take a much needed rest.
Eventually feeling ready to tackle what we perceive to be the two main markets on our adventure we walk across the Golden Jubilee bridge and head north to Trafalgar Square.
The stalls are arranged back to back in a bank of wooden chalets but once again we are faced with the same articles on sale but obviously with different sellers! This is not at all what we expected when we planned our day out in London and decide to walk on to our final destination at Leicester Square. There are more chalets to choose from here but in essence we are again on repeat.
I guess if you are a tourist you would possibly only visit one or two of these markets when you are perhaps in the vicinity and not dedicate a whole day to go Christmas Market shopping like we had so maybe you wouldn’t be disappointed. Personally I cannot help but compare what I have seen today to those in more provincial areas. I’ve personally visited Bath Christmas Market and Chester Christmas Market, at either end of England, and they far exceeded what we experienced today. I have also had the joy of visiting Christmas Markets in Berlin, Cologne and Lille and they also exceeded London.
The London Christmas Markets seem to be primarily set up for evening entertainment. A place where people can come and stroll, peruse the stalls whilst partaking in drinks and food. I’m sure there are lots of people who enjoy this annual social event but if like us you are looking to do some serious Christmas shopping from true independent market stall holders I would suggest heading out of London and checking out what other cities have to offer.
I am usually the type of person who is out shopping once a week during November searching out the perfect present(s) for my loved ones whilst supporting independent local businesses in the small towns and villages in the Cotswolds. The tree and decorations are usually up by the first weekend of December complete with all the presents wrapped and ready for the forthcoming season.
This year, maybe because of how tumultuous it has been, I’ve struggled to find my usual Christmas joyous expectation. For this reason I’m actually really pleased that way back at the start of the year hubby and I booked a lovely place to stay in Essex so we could visit his relatives and spend some time doing Christmassy stuff.
We arrived yesterday and spent last night at the Royal Horticultural Society Hyde Hall visiting their annual glow event. Dressing their extensive gardens with beautiful lights, I actually found the Christmas spirit building inside me the nearer we got to the gates. We had purchased the tickets at a discounted price using our one year RHS membership which expires soon. We have benefitted no end from being members in the last 12 months, both visiting the specific RHS Gardens (see links below) and also some of the partner gardens (see previous posts about Gardens of England and Wales) : https://amidlifeadventure.org/2024/06/15/gardens-of-england-rhs-rosemoor/ https://amidlifeadventure.org/2024/11/15/gardens-of-england-and-wales-top-attractions-at-rhs-wisley/
However we have decided to swap over to an annual National Trust membership next year so we can add a few more one day outings to our itinerary and explore their houses and gardens.
RHS Hyde Hall Glow: We booked tickets for 6 pm and we were immediately surprised on entering the grounds and resulting car park how busy it was. Making our way on foot to the entrance we were greeted by two smiling faces from the young women checking tickets. The route for the Glow is well marked so we managed to walk around easily but there were marshalls at strategic points in case guests have questions or need help.
It wan’t long before one of the trees beautifully lit with blue iridescent light caught my attention. The cold night air is also beginning to take effect which just adds to that wintry feeling of Christmas approaching.
Having not visited this specific garden in daylight it’s quite hard to describe the route we follow but soon we are crossing over a long expanse of grass which looks a bit like a small aircraft runway. Lines of blue and gold light up simultaneously creating a lovely linear effect.
And as we reach the other side of this and wander on we are soon met with a glorious view across the gardens to the trees beyond. A multitude of colours catch your eye against the dark night sky.
Walking on I managed to capture this lovely photo of the bare trees, whose leaves have all now fallen, silhouetted against the trees behind lit again in blue light. Golden globes adorn the branches like giant woven Christmas baubles.
The path then leads towards another open expanse of lawn embellished with triangular golden lit Christmas trees.
From here it isn’t long before we reach the lake where classical music plays as the fountains dance spraying their water in turn. It’s not quite on the scale of the Fountains at the Bellagio or even on the lake at Blenheim Palace last year but it allows a few minutes of reflection and entertainment. I did try to video this but it wasn’t hugely successful as many other visitors had the same idea and I’m not a fan of people I don’t know being in my photos or my videos!
When we had entered the gardens the staff had made us aware that there were places to eat en route. As we approached the first of these I managed to capture this photo showing an array of colours lighting up the plants and vegetation with a wooden chalet style building in the background.
We didn’t opt for this first indoor cafe which served a variety of hot drinks and evening meals but chose to walk on to the selection of open front cabins where you could purchase everything from a buttermilk burger to churros and hot chocolate. This was probably our only complaint about our visit, the prices were extortionate! Two hot chocolates with eight mini doughnuts came to just over £20! I’m not a fan of doughnuts but hubby fancied a hot sweet snack. It made me a little cross because there were many families wandering around with excited children who no doubt would be tempted by these eateries adding a huge expense to a family Christmas night out.
Finishing our drinks we got back on the trail and finished the last short portion of the walk. I rather liked these “shooting stars” made out of cone shaped wicker baskets and what seemed to be branches of twisted hazel backlit with green lighting.
The exit is through the garden centre and shop and to be fair there was quite an array of items available which would make suitable gifts for friends and family. We enjoyed the time we spent here (just under two hours) but we were maybe spoilt by last year’s excursion to Blenheim Palace which unfortunately whilst I have a litany of photos on file I didn’t write about!
Life is still incredibly hectic even when you are retired! When you first retire you often sit and ponder how you are going to fill your time but once you are fully in the swing of things you start asking yourself “How on earth did I have time to go to work?” I’m starting to love retirement particularly when I get to spend time with family and friends or even on my own doing the things I enjoy.
Our Journey:
Last weekend I headed off for three nights with my closest friends -Andrea, Debbie and Janette, who I’ve known for at least seventeen years. As a foursome we try and meet up twice a year which always includes a weekend near Christmas. Due to family commitments this year we had to go a little earlier than usual which meant the cottage we rented wasn’t yet dressed in its Christmas splendour.
Our journey began at 8.30 on Friday morning as the three of us who live down here in the West Country hit the road to travel north. Debbie and I take it in turns these days to drive so we piled all our food and luggage into Conan (my Mitsubishi Barbarian). Those who were around in 1982, which is actually before Andrea was born, will perhaps get the reference as to why I christened him Conan! A coffee stop was taken as usual, when we are travelling north, at Keele Services on the M6 which has a Starbucks and a Waitrose, what more could us ladies want? Our first destination was Delamere Train station in Cheshire to pick up Andrea who was travelling down by train from Lancashire.
Delamere Station is probably one of the quaintest railway stations I’ve come across in the UK to date. Opened on 22 June 1870 this station serves both the village of Delamere and also the wonderful Delamere Forest and lies 9.5 miles east of the city of Chester with hourly trains operating both to Chester and in the opposite direction to Manchester. All the facilities of Delamere Forest are only a short distance away. Unlike many British stations, the original stone buildings still exist next to the platform, though they are privately owned and have been adapted for use as the ‘Station House’ cafe. We wandered through and were all pleasantly surprised at the menu on offer but as we had plans to have lunch together at our next stopping point we merely availed ourselves of the super clean toilet facilities.
The train rolled into the station on time and we all eagerly hugged on the platform pleased that Andrea had completed her journey without any hitches. Piling back into Conan we headed for Tarporley just under six miles up the road.
Tarporley:
Tarporley can be found in rural Cheshire and, as I had read in advance, the village is considered to be one of the county’s most attractive villages. It is actually located near the site of a prehistoric settlement and was listed in the Domesday Book as “Toepelei”, which has been interpreted from Old English as meaning “a pear wood near a hill”.
Our first priority on arrival was to locate the Ginger and Pickles tea room and cafe. We drove past it on the High Street but parking, I have to say, was an absolute nightmare. We had to drive through the main village, check out two different car parks which were both full, before locating a spot on the main road with no parking restrictions. We then walked ten minutes back to the cafe in the hope of having lunch. I’d chosen this particular venue having researched places to eat beforehand on Tripadvisor. Whilst it wasn’t at the top of places to eat in the village it catered for all of us regardless of our dietary choices. We did have to wait for a table but were soon ensconced in the window overlooking the street. When it came to pay the bill I was astonished to find that the lady taking my card payment actually came from the village I live in Gloucestershire, taking great pleasure in telling me her Mum and brother still live there! Wow! What a small world.
Following lunch we ambled the length of the High Street exploring all the shops that took our fancy. Both Andrea and Debbie managed to find a couple of Christmas presents to cross off their list. I took the photo below because unusually I have been struggling to get into the Christmas spirit this year and this actually made me feel quite warm and fuzzy inside.
A notice up in the village advertising their Festive Fayre beckoned us to return on the Sunday Morning to explore a little further.
Chester:
Within our friendship group we all have our favoured roles which have grown up over time. Since Andrea moved up north from Plymouth five years ago we tend to try and stay somewhere in between our two counties. One of my roles tends to be researching in advance the accommodation, travelling and places to visit once we are there. I then send out the options and we choose somewhere as a group. On this occasion we rented a house about three miles outside Tarporley in Rushton. Weather permitting we had decided on the Saturday we would venture into Chester itself to explore the city and visit the Christmas Market that was opening that weekend.
I have visited Chester twice before, both with hubby. The first time we had stayed at a hotel and spa outside of the city in celebration of hubby’s birthday and had explored the city using the GPSmyCity app which has been a frequent companion of ours when travelling. On this occasion we had walked around the eleven key sites it lists in its City Introduction Walk. The second time we visited we were on a tour of the North West and stopped in an Air BnB and having walked into the city we again used the same app but on this occasion to explore the thirteen sights along the City Walls.
Arriving into Chester on what was suggested to be a drizzly and chilly Saturday morning we parked in the New Market multi storey and exited straight into the Chester Market. Opened in 2022 this wasn’t here on my last visit but as it says on their website it now offers “a vibrant selection of produce and goods together with a fantastic choice of authentic global foods all under one roof.” Hubby and I love a market whether it is offering locally produced meat, fish, vegetables and fruit to purchase or an array of food and drink outlets such as this. It allows you to secure a table and then individually pick what you fancy to eat. The girls all agreed that this was where we would come back later for lunch.
History of Chester:
The cathedral city of Chester sits on the River Dee, close to the England-Wales border. It was founded in 79 AD as a Roman fort with the name of Deva Victrix during the reign of Emperor Vespasian. Deva later became a major civilian settlement and one of the main army camps in Roman Britain. I still find it amazing when I wander around towns and cities founded during this era, the idea that I am walking where Romans once trod just astounds me. In 689, King Ethelred of Mercia founded the Minster Church of West Mercia, which later became Chester’s first cathedral. Chester was one of the last cities in England to fall during the Norman Conquest and it was William the Conqueror who ordered the construction of a castle to dominate the town and the nearby Welsh border. Granted city status in 1541, the city walls are some of the best-preserved in the country and have Grade I listed status. The walls are still almost complete with only a 100-metre section missing. One of the main draws for me is the beautiful black and white timber framed buildings which speak of Medieval times but alas even though some of it’s buildings do stem from the Tudor period several are actually Victorian restorations, originating from the Black and White revival movement!
Despite strolling the cobbled streets in the drizzly rain this wonderful city didn’t lose it’s charm for me. Here are some of the highlights of our walk:-
Chester Town Hall:
Located on Northgate Street in the centre of the city the Town Hall was officially opened on 15 October 1869 by HRH The Prince of Wales, Earl of Chester, later King Edward VII. Designed by the architect Williams Henry Lynn of Belfast, it took over 4 years to complete the building which is made from pink and buff sandstone in the Gothic Revival architectural style. The tower which rises to 160 feet was finally completed in 1869. Designated as a Grade II listed building the Town Hall remains the centre of activity for the Lord Mayor and Sheriff of Chester with many civic events hosted here throughout the year.
Chester Cathedral:
I have been fortunate to have visited many of the UK’s famous cathedrals, mainly whilst on a UK road trip a couple of years ago. Chester, I have to say doesn’t quite match up to Wells or Canterbury or York but it still is worth visiting in it’s own right. There has been a church of some type on the present site of Chester Cathedral since the eighth century although human occupation of the space extends to the first century AD when it was part of the fortress of the Roman city. The present Cathedral is the result of building that commenced around the mid-thirteenth century and continued on and off until the Dissolution in 1540 with the first Bishop of Chester taking his seat in 1541.
Architecturally the church is mainly Romanesque and Gothic although elements of English medieval Norman and Perpendicular are also featured. One of the most attractive parts of the interior of this cathedral for me is the beautiful, ornately carved Quire Stalls alongside the misericords. When you look at these up close it is hard to imagine how they had the immense skill to produce something so elaborate.
The cloister walks are also worth visiting and were some of the final elements to be built, with stone vaults added to replace wooden ones. This covered walkway that runs along the walls of the cathedral enclosing the garden was being set up when we were there ready for the annual Christmas Tree Festival. With over 80 trees decorated in this year’s theme of Discover Christmas: What Christmas means to you, it must add a real element of Christmas spirit when it opens towards the end of November for the Christmas season.
Eastgate Clock:
The Eastgate arch above which stands the Eastgate clock is the site of the original entrance gate to the Roman fortress of Deva Victrix. The current Eastgate dates back to 1768 with the clock being added in 1899 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. It features a face on all four sides along with the year 1897 and the initials VR appearing above and below each clock face. Both the gate and the clock were given Grade I status in 1955.
Chester Rows:
This is the main shopping area within the city of Chester, completely pedestrianised, often with delightful cobbled streets, and dating back to records kept in 1293. Originally shops with living areas, some have weathered the test of time but others have been replaced with restaurants and offices. Only about twenty of the original Rows are still standing. Chester does seem to have it all with undercover shopping centres and an abundance of fashion boutiques, independent shops and also High Street favourites. The city claims to have something for every age group, style and budget.
Chester Roman Gardens and Amphitheatre:
The Chester Roman Gardens sits close to the Roman Amphitheatre above the River Dee. The gardens were built in 1949 for the sole purpose of displaying the ruins of the fortress Deva Vitrix. Most notable amongst these artefacts are original columns with the largest on display coming from the Roman Assembly Hall. Turning right out of the gardens and further along Pepper Street is the site of the Roman amphitheatre, the largest to be uncovered in Great Britain in 1929. The Romans are thought to have built the original theatre between 70 and 80 AD and it remained in active use throughout their occupation. The ruins show that this theatre was similar to those found in continental Europe. Unfortunately only the northern half of the theatre is exposed as the southern part is still covered by buildings. When we visited a large mill like building to the south was falling into disrepair so maybe Chester will one day rediscover the rest of this arena. Even with what you can see currently, if you stand with your back close to the street, you can still imagine the chariots and gladiators pouring out of the labyrinth of rooms, hallways and cages into the arena ready for their turn to perform. This is such an important part of our country’s history.
The River Dee:
Towards the end of our walk we wandered down through Grosvenor Park to the banks of the River Dee. This river runs a total length of 70 miles, rising in the Welsh hills of Snowdonia, flowing through Chester and ending its journey to the sea in Liverpool Bay. There is a lovely waterside and woodland trail which takes you along the River Dee and back through the woods south of Chester along rougher paths and paved roads. It’s a great walk to do to spot wildlife as well as enjoying views over the water.
As planned we had a late lunch at the Market Hall with it’s selection of food vendors before wandering around the Christmas Market stalls which by this time were lit up and buzzing with visitors. The sights, sounds and smells emanating from the stalls lifted my Christmas spirit and at times even tempted me to buy delicacies to take home. We returned back to our accommodation and popped back into Tarporley on Sunday for their Christmas Market. Although obviously a lot smaller than Chester it was worth a browse around for an hour. No Girls Christmas weekend is complete without Christmas dinner and this was duly delivered on Sunday Afternoon along with the exchanging of presents in the evening before making our way home on Monday morning.
I truly recommend a visit to the wonderful old city of Chester, it has a lot to offer both historically and for those who love to shop. I’m even thinking of returning myself next year for another walk around the famous walls and a spot of Christmas shopping ensuring of course that I come, next time, after the Christmas trees are lit in the cathedral!
A Midlife Adventure 