Idle Hands Brunch and Pumpkins in trees

I love watching a programme called Four in a Bed which is about four B&B owners going to each other’s B&Bs and rating them. A big part of it is of course, the breakfast which then when I’m watching it, makes me want a breakfast. So, I dragged my mum to Idle Hands. I think this was one of the most creative breakfasts I’ve had and I loved the greens, seeds and all the veg. It’s definitely my kind of food.

After brunch, we did some shopping. I struggle in Japan because I’m tall and have long monkey-esque arms. ...

Manchester: Castlefield Viaduct, pizza and Manchester Museum

Back in town and today we had booked to go to the Castlefield Viaduct. I used to think Castlefield was miles away and would refuse to go to that part of Manchester. It’s about a 15 minute walk – how lazy!

You don’t have to book if you don’t want to do the tour, you can just go. We wanted to do the tour (only about 5/10 mins) and there were some people who just joined on the day. It’s aiming for similar to The High Line in New York. The lady giving the tour said part of the ...

Manchester: Art Gallery, Canals + HOME

I was back in Manchester for a little bit recently. One of the first things I did was get myself into the city centre (£2 bus fares – thank you, Andy). I love hanging out with my Mum and we first headed to Manchester Art Gallery. It’s in a lovely building and is smallish but packed with lots to see. We went straight to the cafe which was rammed and we both had the seasonal tart which was broccoli and cheese at £7 – amazing! Free filter water was available.

After enjoying the art gallery, we trotted about town. ...

sweltering in the hot hiroshima heat: day two

It was a breakfast buffet at the hotel with plenty of options! I tend to not have much of an appetite in the summer but my husband isn’t like that, maybe because he grew up with the heat.

After breakfast we got the bus to Shukkeien Garden・縮景園 which I loved. I love gardens anyway but I think this was one of the best I’ve been to in Japan. It was blistering heat and not very crowded. There were lots of turtles and koi in the pond and I felt sorry for them with the heat. Animals have done nothing to ...

sweltering in the hot hiroshima heat: day one

We went to Hiroshima last week – Thur 27th – Sat 29th July. We got the shinkansen from Tokyo Station at 7:30 and arrived in Hiroshima at 11:27. It was hot! It said it was the same temperature as Tokyo but it felt boiling. We got the bus (we could use Pasmo) to the hotel ANAクラウンプラザホテル広島・Crowne Plaza – ANA Hiroshima, an IHG Hotel (it was a really nice hotel). The lady on reception asked if we wanted to upgrade for two people for two nights for ¥5,000 and I said ‘no’ straight away. Even for me, that’s a new level ...