New York Holiday

After years of wanting to get to New York, this September I finally managed to make my wish come true.

I had an amazing time staying in a great hotel the Nobleden in Little Italy, a boutique hotel recommended to me by a colleague. Even the flight was fairly empty, I had a whole row of seats to myself, with plenty of room to stretch out. Ironically, on the same flight upper class and premium were packed, I wonder if they were jealous of us in the back?

The weather was fabulous allowing plenty of time for sight-seeing, I managed to see plenty of the tourist sights, experienced riding the subway, the mania of Times Square, taking the time to reflect at the memorials in the rebuilt World Trade Centre, Admiringthe views and skylines from both the Rockefeller Centre and Empire State Buildings, and just walking and admiring the place. Over four days I think I nearly walked 60 miles!

Here are a few photographs to give a taster of my trip.

Celebrating my Mother's Birthday

During the summer the family celebrated my Mother's Birthday, she was 39 again or at least that is her story.

The family had a fabulous meal at The Caesars Brasserie and we all enjoyed a great family get together.

We even got the birthday cake right!

The Shrouds - 19240 Shrouds of the Somme

Yesterday, July 1st 2016, marked the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. This is remembered as one of the bloodiest battles of the Great War, if not in history. Over the course of the offensive between 1st July and November 1916, over a million men, both Allied and German died.

To commemorate the event, Exeter has commissioned the artwork 19240 Shrouds of the Somme. this commemorates the 19240 Allied and Commonwealth soldiers who died on the first day of the offensive.

I visited the memorial today in Exeter and I have to admit it is a moving and breathtaking sight. It is only here for just over a week. So if you can, go and see it and take time to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice on that day.

A Week off in May

This week I have taken a week off and taken some time away from work to recharge my batteries. I have been blessed with great weather and have managed a couple of long walks with the dog, played some golf (unfortunately I didn't play well) and took in two films.

On May Day I took the dog for a hike on Dartmoor, we explored Haytor and  walked around a nearby quarry. Found a new coffee stand at the Haytor car park, I'd recommend them for coffee, it was very good. 

Yesterday, we took a walk around the woods near Killerton House, the bluebells were just starting to bloom making a classic British Spring scene.

I've also taken in two films this week, Captain America:Civil War and Eye in the Sky. Two contrasting movies in both their scope and style but definitely worth watch.