Life is a journey, treasure it…..
Black Rock Sands in North Wales holds many precious memories for us as a family. You can drive on the beach in your car with all your kit and enjoy a fantastic day at the beach. We are looking forward to visiting this beautiful beach again soon.
When traveling currently you should:
✅ Check covid rules before, during and after travel
✅ Complete passenger locator forms
✅ Ensure you respect the country you’re in and their rules and people
✅ Make sure you know your rough plans if someone got covid or if restrictions changed quickly
✅ Read your travel insurance (I honestly would never recommend going anywhere abroad without it). My life would have been so awful if I hadn’t had it when we went to Venice. You should always be prepared to pay for it if your prepared to pay for a holiday.
The 17th century creation of the Bakewell Pudding was an accident when an order for a strawberry tart was mixed up by the cook when she spread of a layer of jam and then placed the egg mixture into the pastry before cooking. The mix up ended up being a huge success with a local entrepreneur acquiring the original recipe in order to commence a business of her own.
Mrs Wilson set up The Original Bakewell Pudding Shop and you can still visit and taste the amazing Bakewell Pudding today, why not take a seat at the restaurant, take one away or even receive one in the post.
Bakewell Tarts a variation on the pudding were a later 20th century creation. The pudding a buttery puff pastry case, topped with a layer of seedless strawberry jam and finished with a soft set custard of eggs, sugar and almonds against that of the tart with its sweet shortcrust pastry, layered with seedless strawberry jam, a pale fluffy frangipane sponge filling of eggs, almonds and sugar and finished with a layer of white fondant icing and half a glace cherry. The Mr Kipling Bakewell Tart would be the image many people have of a Bakewell Tart with many variations are now in existence, lemon, chocolate and too many more to list here. But trust me there are many fabulous ones available from so many other places.
So are you team Bakewell Pudding or Bakewell
Lasting up to 16 days with the first 7 considered being public holidays (January 31st – February 6th 2022) the Chinese New Year follows the Lunar Calendar. New Year celebrations close with the lantern festival on February 15th celebrating family reunions and society.
2022 is the Year of the Tiger the third animal in the 12 year cycle of animals in Chinese astrology. Tigers are said to be vigorous and ambitious, daring and courageous, enthusiastic and generous, self-confident with a sense of justice and a commitment to help others for the greater good.
Every Chinese New Year is one of five elements, water, wood, Fire, Earth and Meatal with 2022 year being water.
Now it’s time to move into the year of the Water Tiger….
Check out what animal you are:
Rat: 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972
Ox: 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973
Tiger: 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962
Rabbit: 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963
Dragon: 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964
Snake: 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965
Horse: 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966
Sheep: 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967
Monkey: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968
Rooster: 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969
Dog: 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970
Pig: 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971
First in the February half term ideas is a train ride. Great for all weather a train ride in Kent or Sussex it’s an excellent day trip out exploring the hidden gems off the roads.
Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway the famous one third full size steam and diesel locomotives take you on a 13½ mile journey along the Kent coast and countryside ending at the only desert in Britain that is Dungeness; classified Britain’s only desert due to its dryness and spectacular lack of surface vegetation.
Bluebell Railway heritage railway runs through eleven miles of the stunning Sussex countryside boasting vintage steam locomotives and carriages. With so many amazing trips available from the roaming rover or the pullman dining packages. There is also half term ice skating sessions available – 12 – 27 February 2022 at Sheffield Park Station.
East Kent Railway a once industrial line the four mile round trip through the lovely scenic Kent villages of Shepherdswell and Eythorne is a relaxing fun journey for all. Note that trains only operate on Sundays. Update: trains aren’t running until Easter however the cafe is open Wednesdays Fridays & weekends.
Kent & East Sussex Railway is a 10½ mile light railway that whistles you through the stunning countryside and also onto the beautiful Bodiam Castle so you could also have a castle visit too. Half term fun celebrates Waterbirds in the Wealden countryside and free children’s onboard activities.
With so many more train journeys to be discovered in Kent, Sussex and across the UK I can’t fit them all here so I will share some more with you soon.
25th January 2022
Burns Night is a celebration of the life of Robert Burns, born in Ayrshire in 1759, Robert Burns is Scotland’s national bard (poet).
Auld Lang Syne is perhaps Burns’ most famous work and is one of the most widely sung songs of the English language, with many of us singing Auld Lang Syne on Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve).
Burns Night celebrations range in formality some much more relaxed than others but main parts would include:
Piping in the guests – to bagpipes or traditional music
Reciting of the Selkirk Grace – recited after the guests have entered the room and are seated at the table and before the haggis is piped to the table.
Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it,
But we hae meat and we can eat,
And sae the Lord be thankit.
Piping in the haggis – guests stand to welcome the haggis to the table!
Toast to the haggis – honouring the most important ingredient of the meal
Time to enjoy the Burns Night meal
The ‘immortal memory’ – an account of the life of Robbie Burns, followed by Burns’s songs and poems often read by guests around the table.
Toast to the lassies – a traditional thank you to the women involved in the preparations (and a light-hearted homage to Burns’s love of women).
Finale is singing Auld Lang Syne.
And how about a traditional Burns Night Meal? This would include, Cullen skink, Haggis, neeps and tatties followed by Clootie dumpling. Why not try making your own Burns Night meal by using the these recipes. I think I will try making the Clootie dumpling this year.
Today I spent walking on the North Downs Way with a group of fellow ambassadors training and sharing knowledge.
It was such a lovely day with everyone really supporting each other in every way. So watch out as we are going to share with you some of the amazing hidden gems of the North Downs Way.
You can explore the North Downs Way yourself with many self guided walks available from Explore Kent or the National Trails website. If you’re looking for an ambassador guided walk I will share them as they become available across the whole North Downs Way network.
Walking into new adventures 🥰
Starting a new chapter of my life and so looking forward to sharing with you all.
Family fun exploring Ingleton Water Falls. Taking the time out to spend time with the ones you love making memories can be done anywhere.
With some truly hidden gems in the UK maybe you could look to take sometime out too.
Coexistence- we can live together successfully. The day Mum and I stumbled upon these beautiful herds of elephants in Green Park London 🐘. Think we may need to take another trip to see them again anyone coming?
Check out the CoExistence website, simple things mean we can live in harmony. I try to make my garden a haven for wildlife with simple things, a part of the garden that we do not mow, a bee drinking tray, a small bird bath. These things are simple and inexpensive why not try something different for wildlife in your garden this year.
P.S. I would love to bye one of these elephants don’t think I have the space or money right now 😉🐘
My Jones Life 