tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69868159438478824152024-03-08T21:15:59.857+00:00Fat FrocksUK Travel and Lifestyle Blog. I write about my home, travels and my dog Coco. Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.comBlogger733125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-66199920846879161432020-10-09T19:39:00.005+01:002021-04-16T13:07:54.173+01:00Recipe - Bibimbap with Gochujang Sauce<p style="text-align: justify;">Bibimbap is one of my favourite traditional Korean dishes and is comprised of rice, a mixture of
veg, an egg, and meat with Gochujang stirred through it whilst it's at the table. It's so colourful and full of flavour, I would highly recommend it on a dull Autumn day. <br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Bibimbap is traditionally served in a hot stone bowl called a
dolsot. You heat the
underside so the rice gets browned and crispy. Delicious! If you don't have a dish or pot you can put on direct heat you can stir fry the rice a little before assembling this plate so you still get some of the texture. <br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The recipe below is my take on the dish. If you're looking for some authentic recipes I highly recommend taking a look at <a href="http://koreankitchencardiff.com/" target="_blank">Lia's blog</a>. I get my supplies of Korean ingredients from <a href="https://mamahalla.com/">Mama Halla</a> & <a href="https://koreanpantry.co.uk/">The Korean Pantry</a>. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfT4QAzTgOuiXYCSuEeXt1aLLzgkMxKvo5zWMIL3DmBRt0e_GyEF9KCyTLTDf0OoR_UJiTpfH3trDrTu980VYP_1IjYCFXfPqMk0VLjetBvqoYIuo455pfUZeVBYC0UWup1GHo5pJdOem/s6016/DSC_0392.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfT4QAzTgOuiXYCSuEeXt1aLLzgkMxKvo5zWMIL3DmBRt0e_GyEF9KCyTLTDf0OoR_UJiTpfH3trDrTu980VYP_1IjYCFXfPqMk0VLjetBvqoYIuo455pfUZeVBYC0UWup1GHo5pJdOem/s16000/DSC_0392.JPG" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdTcHQQaLtYoH61sTZpiTnmW8EnDNm7aq5CQ4A1p00w5AP8FiRe5nsp6cy8dfLiKuBf1kvhb4XLENAx-ODW5Wz7dLEJ5VPUjDB97U_SP93WDVJmTgh_hPlFvLdNI-s3gTp0tUXKO7BW3P/s6016/DSC_0391.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdTcHQQaLtYoH61sTZpiTnmW8EnDNm7aq5CQ4A1p00w5AP8FiRe5nsp6cy8dfLiKuBf1kvhb4XLENAx-ODW5Wz7dLEJ5VPUjDB97U_SP93WDVJmTgh_hPlFvLdNI-s3gTp0tUXKO7BW3P/s16000/DSC_0391.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPJPuKYKnNr0Xpfo-RIZ-0P0j0mx3WgdedKQ-c8lIO_R6qjJBcNHvI2AkPmrhDFMN3-gJUqGIdYG4AXejEBL1RVuyl1-Lq-g8IR_HxKeIlK1lYjWTaL0DdRFrDrTc1EtGEgwtSE-dLygM/s6016/DSC_0396.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><b>List Of Ingredients</b><br /> <br /><br /><b>Marinated beef</b><br />300g beef sirloin, very thinly sliced<br />2½ tbsp soy sauce<br />2 tsp roasted sesame seed oil<br />3 garlic cloves, crushed<br />3 spring onions, very finely chopped<br />½ tsp ground black pepper<br /> <br />400g short-grain white rice <br /><br /><b>Toppings</b><br />150g carrots, cut into very thin strips<br />300g courgette, quartered lengthways and thinly sliced<br />150g bean sprouts<br />200g mushrooms, sliced<br />300g spinach<br />4 eggs<br />roasted sesame seed oil, to season<br />soy sauce, to season<br />sunflower or vegetable oil, to fry<br />toasted sesame seeds, to serve<br /> <br /><b>Gochujang sauce</b><br />3 tbsp gochujang chilli paste<br />1 tbsp soy sauce<br />1 tbsp roasted sesame seed oil<br />2 garlic cloves, crushed<br />1 tbsp maple syrup<br /> <div class="bigrightdivcontainer">
<p class="blogpostsubheading"><b>Method</b></p>
<p class="standardblogposttext" style="text-align: justify;">In a bowl, mix together all the
sauce ingredients and set aside. In another bowl, mix together the
ingredients for the beef marinade, add the sliced beef, cover and set
aside for around 30–60 minutes.</p>
<p class="standardblogposttext" style="text-align: justify;">Cook the rice and keep warm. Meanwhile, fill
a large pan with water and bring it to the boil. One by one,
blanch the carrots and courgette for 1 minute and the
bean sprouts for 2½ minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove them
from the water and drain fully. Season each vegetable with ½ a teaspoon
of roasted sesame seed oil and soy sauce, keeping the vegetables
separate at all times.</p>
<p class="standardblogposttext" style="text-align: justify;">Heat 1 tablespoon of sunflower oil in a
pan. Add in the mushrooms and stir-fry over a high heat for 4–5 minutes
until softened. Remove from the pan and season with ½ a teaspoon of
roasted sesame seed oil and soy sauce.
In the same pan, add in the spinach and sprinkle over 2 teaspoons of
water. Fry over a high heat for a few minutes, stirring all the time,
until the spinach has wilted. Remove the spinach, squeeze out any excess
water and season as before with the roasted sesame seed
oil and soy sauce. </p>
<p class="standardblogposttext" style="text-align: justify;">In the same pan, add the marinated beef.
Stir-fry over a high heat for 3–5 minutes, until the sauce has reduced
and the meat is cooked through. In a clean frying pan, fry the eggs. I like the yolks really runny, coating the rice once I cut into them. </p>
<p class="standardblogposttext" style="text-align: justify;">Serve the hot rice in 4 individual
bowls. Place 1 egg onto the centre of the rice, then arrange the
vegetables and meat around it. Sprinkle over some sesame seeds and salad
cress and serve with the gochujang sauce. Start with a couple of
spoonfuls of the sauce and mix everything together well. Add more
gochujang sauce to taste.</p></div><p></p>Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-30279996331039962622020-08-19T20:51:00.006+01:002020-08-19T20:58:53.368+01:00Swiss Railway Adventure - Photo Diary<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
I can't believe almost 10 months
have passed since my trip to breathtaking Switzerland! Time seems to be passing in an odd way and has little meaning at the moment whilst we're observing the lock down.<br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
I've been having a little sulk about all the travel plans for 2020 that have been put on hold. Thinking of my friends who have had to postpone weddings, those who have been in the final stages of pregnancy in lock down and everything going on in the world now puts things into perspective. This extra time at home has given me food for thought and I've been pondering over the things I'm grateful for and all the wonderful trips I've been lucky enough to go on with my <a href="#" id="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2018/01/our-cardiff-wedding-ceremony.html" name="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2018/01/our-cardiff-wedding-ceremony.html">husband</a> have to be at the top of the list.<br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
I'm not going to blabber on too much in this post because I think the photos speak for themselves. Most of these were taken on a broken old iPhone without any skill and Switzerland still looks stunning. I can't quite believe I was really there surrounded by the mighty Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. </span></span></div>
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<h3>
<span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Stay</b></span></span></span></h3><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
We stayed in such a stylish and well appointed apartment during our trip to Switzerland. Maria, our host had decorated the place beautifully and even left us a selection of Swiss treats to enjoy on our first evening. It was the perfect size for me, my husband and dog for our week long stay. You can find the listing <a href="https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/23580082?source_impression_id=p3_1589994905_1CegYSgJ51tPYXTm&guests=1&adults=1">here.</a></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
The apartment was located a short walk from Wilderswil railway station and we could see the historic Schynige Platte Railway pass us by from the balcony. A railway lovers dream for two railway workers like myself and my husband.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: #8e7cc3;">Getting around</span></span></span></h3><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
Train travel is the best way to take in everything
that Switzerland has to offer. The sedate pace, the views, the ease and punctuality of Swiss railways all combine to make it the obvious way to explore. </span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1">If you’re planning any Swiss travel, particularly
if you are planning to travel Switzerland by train, you most likely
have come across the Swiss Travel Pass. The Swiss Travel
Pass is an all-inclusive pass which gives access to the Swiss rail system but also entry to museums and travel on some ferries and cable cars too. </span><span class="s1"><br /><br />Whilst the price of the pass is expensive,
once you add up the price of individual Swiss rail tickets, plus the
entry to a few museums you soon make your money back and even start to save. For me the mass meant that you don’t have to worry about making
bookings, carrying around multiple train tickets and even being
concerned with missing a train - because you can simply catch the next
one!</span> <br /><br /></span></span>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: #8e7cc3;">See</span></span></span></h3>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
I'm sure we only scratched the surface of all the things to do in
Jungfrau and the surrounding areas during our trip so I may miss out
some 'must see' destinations but here are my holiday highlights:</span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<br />
<b>Jungfraujoch</b><br />
<br />
</span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest
railway station was a must see for me. This train ride takes you from
Interlaken all the way to 11,000 feet above sea level. You
can choose to go via Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald. </span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
A journey to the Jungfraujoch is incredibly popular bit it’s certainly not cheap. When combining some of the best views of the Alps with
taking a ride on a modern-day marvel of engineering, this is one train
ride worthy of a spot on your bucket list and worth the ticket price.<br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Route:</b> Lauterbrunnen – Wengen – Kleine Scheidegg– Jungfrau or Interlaken – Zweilütschinen – Grindelwald – Kleine Scheidegg – Jungrfrau.<br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Duration:</b> Roughly 2 hours one way<br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Don’t miss:</b> The towns you pass through. They’re so picturesque – so leave time to stop in Wengen or Grindelwald.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Gelmerbahn Funicular</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>With an incline of 106% this is one of the steepest funiculars in Europe. </span></span></span> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The Gelmerbahn runs daily from 21st May – 25. Oct. It runs roughly every 25
minutes starting at 9.00. The last ride up is 15.48 (16:36 in
Jul/Aug) and the last ride down is at 16.00 (16:48 in Jul/Aug).</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>After a ride with spectacular views you're greeted by </span>Gelmersee, a man-made reservoir with beautifully bluw water. The Gelmer funicular is how the workers got up the mountain to
create the reservoir back in the 20's. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Lake Thun Cruise</b> <br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="fullText">Lake Thun is one of most picturesque destinations for a boat
cruise that you can experience. I really enjoyed the leisurely trip from Interlaken to </span><span class="fullText">Spiez, taking in the views of the Bernese Oberland on clear blue waters. </span>Spiez Castle is surrounded by vineyards in what is said to be the prettiest bay in Europe.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
There are so many more cable cars and trains journeys we took and to be honest, they were all spectacular. You won't be disappointed by any of them. I recommend heading to <a href="#" id="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-gb/destinations/bernese-oberland/" name="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-gb/destinations/bernese-oberland/">this site for a full breakdown</a> of all the things to see and do. <br /></span></span>
</p><h3><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: #8e7cc3;">Eat</span></span></span></h3><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Switzerland can be a tad expensive so we prepared our breakfasts and evening meals at the apartment to both save costs and rest after really long days out exploring. We did treat ourselves to come lovely cakes and coffees whilst out but the standout meal for us was at the Swiss restaurant <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RestaurantLauterbrunnen/">Weidstübl</a> in Lauterbrunnen. They had a varied choice of traditional dishes like rosti, fondue and sausages and the surroundings were very quaint and cosy. We ate in the outdoor seating area (heated) and our dog Coco was very welcome there. <br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><br />
Until next time, Switzerland!</span></span></span></p>Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-71407793855187500042020-05-07T16:46:00.000+01:002020-05-07T16:46:12.668+01:00 Gugelhupf Cake Recipe<span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span data-offset-key="6jfsa-0-0" style="font-weight: bold;"><span data-text="true">Gugelhupf Cake <br /></span></span></span><br /><span data-text="true"><span><span data-offset-key="2tmo1-0-0"><span data-text="true">This is one of my favourite treats and reminds me of my holidays in <a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/search/label/Zell%20am%20See">Zell am See</a> and <a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2018/12/innsbruck-my-winter-2018-adventure.html">Innsbruck</a> with my husband. Served both in cafés and Austrian homes, Gugelhupf cake is an absolute classic. There are also </span></span><span data-offset-key="2tmo1-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span class="st">sweet raisin-filled yeast bread versions of this cake but the marbled one is equally as delicious. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49867141222_8c15a84f2c_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="this is a picture of gugelhupf cake dusted with icing sugar" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49867141222_8c15a84f2c_h.jpg" title="gugelhupf cake" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span data-offset-key="4tugi-0-0" style="font-weight: bold;"><span data-text="true">You will need</span></span></span></div>
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<li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-reset public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" data-block="true" data-editor="d325q" data-offset-key="fusu7-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="fusu7-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="fusu7-0-0"><span data-text="true"> 170g unsalted butter </span></span></div>
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<li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" data-block="true" data-editor="d325q" data-offset-key="44a7r-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="44a7r-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="44a7r-0-0"><span data-text="true"> 4 eggs, separated </span></span></div>
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<li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" data-block="true" data-editor="d325q" data-offset-key="5njcb-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="5njcb-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="5njcb-0-0"><span data-text="true"> 330g plain flour </span></span></div>
</li>
<li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" data-block="true" data-editor="d325q" data-offset-key="egt0j-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="egt0j-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="egt0j-0-0"><span data-text="true"> 170ml milk </span></span></div>
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<li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" data-block="true" data-editor="d325q" data-offset-key="5j9a3-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="5j9a3-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="5j9a3-0-0"><span data-text="true"> 330g icing sugar (plus a little extra to decorate) </span></span></div>
</li>
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<span data-offset-key="9cmeb-0-0"><span data-text="true"> 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla sugar</span></span></div>
</li>
<li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" data-block="true" data-editor="d325q" data-offset-key="al1ig-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="al1ig-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="al1ig-0-0"><span data-text="true"> 3 tsp baking powder </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="6l4pi-0-0"><span data-text="true"> 3 tsp cocoa </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="bn6sq-0-0"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>Instructions</b></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="f8ifi-0-0"><span data-text="true">Preheat your oven to 170°C and coat the bundt cake tin with plenty of melted butter.<br /></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="cve4-0-0"><span data-text="true">Whisk the </span></span><span data-text="true">butter</span><span data-offset-key="cve4-0-2"><span data-text="true"> with the </span></span><span data-text="true">egg yolk</span><span data-offset-key="cve4-0-4"><span data-text="true"> until foamy, add </span></span><span data-text="true">all the icing sugar</span><span data-offset-key="cve4-0-6"><span data-text="true">, and stir until creamy. Add </span></span><span data-text="true">vanilla extract or sugar</span><span data-offset-key="cve4-0-8"><span data-text="true"> (sachets of vanilla sugar are very common in Austria and Germany but I've never seen them here)<br /></span></span></div>
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<li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" data-block="true" data-editor="d325q" data-offset-key="8hh2q-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8hh2q-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="8hh2q-0-0"><span data-text="true">Beat the egg whites until stiff. Sift together the flour and baking powder. Mix half of the flour into the butter mixture and combine. Add the milk, combine, then add remainder of the flour. gently fold in the egg whites. <br /></span></span></div>
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<li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" data-block="true" data-editor="d325q" data-offset-key="32j7d-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="32j7d-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="32j7d-0-0"><span data-text="true">Pour </span></span><span data-text="true">roughly half</span><span data-offset-key="32j7d-0-2"><span data-text="true"> of this mixture into the cake tin. Add </span></span><span data-text="true">cocoa</span><span data-offset-key="32j7d-0-4"><span data-text="true"> to the rest and mix. Pour the </span></span><span data-text="true">darker batter</span><span data-offset-key="32j7d-0-6"><span data-text="true"> on top of the lighter one into the tin. <br /></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2do93-0-0"><span data-text="true">Drag the handle of a wooden spoon or a fork through the batter and wave it around to achieve the </span></span><span data-text="true">marbled look</span><span data-offset-key="2do93-0-2"><span data-text="true">. <br /></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="ag1vq-0-0"><span data-text="true">Bake for 50 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes on a cool rack, then take the cake out of the pan. Dust with icing sugar before serving. <br /><br /><span id="goog_604255631"></span><span id="goog_604255632"></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49867141227_dc16441822_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49867141227_dc16441822_h.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span data-offset-key="ag1vq-0-0"><span data-text="true"><br />If you have a go at baking this please tag me in any photos you share, I would love to see. </span></span></div>
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Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-40813895312303258492020-04-15T21:54:00.001+01:002020-04-15T21:54:27.120+01:00Kimchi fried rice - Kimchi-bokkeumbap 볶음밥<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49778377451_dbbf16d04a_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49778377451_dbbf16d04a_h.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /><span style="font-size: small;">I'm always inspired by my friends Instagram story cook-alongs (<a href="http://www.astoryofagirl.com/2020/04/tried-and-tested-online-recipes-using.html">I'm looking at you Sophie</a>) but end up eating the same handful of meals on repeat. I've got a lot more time to cook now that I'm currently working from home and cutting out my daily commute so no excuse not to try some more adventurous dishes. <br /><br />I've attempted to cook kimchi fried rice for friends a few times but the recipe I'm sharing here is my favourite version. Kimchi fried rice (Bokkeumbap) is a popular Korean fried rice dish that is a great way to use leftovers and provides a super quick and comforting meal. This Korean recipe takes only 20 mins to make from prep to dinner table, ideal for a midweek treat.
<br /><br />This dish is easy to customise and I've made it with less chilli flakes for friends who don't like things as hot as I do. You can also swap out the pork for tofu, spam or bacon and drop the egg and swap the kimchi for a vegan variety. <br /><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Serves: 2
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Preparation time: 5 mins
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<span style="font-size: small;">Cooking time: 15 mins </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>You will need: </b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">115 grams kimchi, chopped (I used <a href="https://koreanpantry.co.uk/">this one</a>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">3 tablespoons of kimchi juice </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">2 teaspoons gochugaru (chilli flakes)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">1 teaspoon gochujang </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">1 teaspoon soy sauce </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">2 teaspoons sesame oil </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">2 servings cooked rice (day old is best) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">115 grams pork belly </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">2 Spring onions (finely chopped) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">2 eggs </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">1 clove garlic, finely chopped
<i class="JsGRdQ" style="font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none;"> </i></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Directions</b></span><br />
<ul><span style="font-size: small;">
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="JsGRdQ" style="font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none;">Cook chopped pork belly in frying pan until slightly browned</span><span class="JsGRdQ white-space-prewrap" style="font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none;"> </span><span class="JsGRdQ" style="font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none;"> </span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="JsGRdQ" style="font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none;">Add half of the spring onion and all of the kimchi and cook on high heat</span><span class="JsGRdQ" style="font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none;"> </span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="JsGRdQ" style="font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none;">Mix the kimchi juice, garlic, gochujang, gochugaru, sesame oil and soy sauce together</span><span class="JsGRdQ white-space-prewrap" style="font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none;"> </span><span class="JsGRdQ" style="font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none;"> </span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="JsGRdQ" style="font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none;">Add the rice and mixed ingredients to the pan and reduce heat to </span><span class="JsGRdQ" style="font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none;">medium</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="JsGRdQ" style="font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none;">Stir until everything is well incorporated and the clumps of rice are broken up, cook for 3 to 4 minutes.</span><span class="JsGRdQ" style="font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none;"> </span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="JsGRdQ" style="font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none;">Top with a lovely, runny fried egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds and remaining onions to serve.<br /><br />I've also made a recipe card for those who like to print and save these kinds of things 😊</span></span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyGGzMzzG0MX3dtznjek9MKjTbpRIslSRvNPbQ045HDexyL3BIPiVlCkWDNbnMeEKjtR_Jml0qHt-EmsrBfnqudLuZb6EjcufHRsQB5dLwYofFqgTRkpB5a1RzYQsJMtnb8elejcMhyphenhyphenec/s1600/Kimchi+fried+rice+Kimchi-bokkeumbap+%25E1%2584%2580%25E1%2585%25B5%25E1%2586%25B7%25E1%2584%258E%25E1%2585%25B5%25E1%2584%2587%25E1%2585%25A9%25E1%2586%25A9%25E1%2584%258B%25E1%2585%25B3%25E1%2586%25B7%25E1%2584%2587%25E1%2585%25A1%25E1%2586%25B8%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a photo of kimcho fried rice with an egg on top" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyGGzMzzG0MX3dtznjek9MKjTbpRIslSRvNPbQ045HDexyL3BIPiVlCkWDNbnMeEKjtR_Jml0qHt-EmsrBfnqudLuZb6EjcufHRsQB5dLwYofFqgTRkpB5a1RzYQsJMtnb8elejcMhyphenhyphenec/s1600/Kimchi+fried+rice+Kimchi-bokkeumbap+%25E1%2584%2580%25E1%2585%25B5%25E1%2586%25B7%25E1%2584%258E%25E1%2585%25B5%25E1%2584%2587%25E1%2585%25A9%25E1%2586%25A9%25E1%2584%258B%25E1%2585%25B3%25E1%2586%25B7%25E1%2584%2587%25E1%2585%25A1%25E1%2586%25B8%25281%2529.png" title="kimchi fried rice" /></a></div>
Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-24264399999015330622019-12-31T13:28:00.001+00:002019-12-31T13:28:46.821+00:00My Walt Disney World 2019 Trip Photo Diary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/7886/46997944052_ca061077b4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7886/46997944052_ca061077b4_b.jpg" /></a></div>
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I’ve travelled to all sorts of exciting places with my husband, Martyn. We've been to the top of the <a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2016/06/travel-post-austria-kitzsteinhorn.html">Austrian Alps</a>, travelled on the most scenic railway in the world and toured the remote Scottish <a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/search/label/nc500">Highlands</a> on our honeymoon. We've shared our love of adventure and railways but this trip to Florida allowed me to share my cherished childhood holiday memories with him and I attempted to bring him into the cult of Disney (my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/2disneyguys/">brother</a> and I are already fully-fledged members).</div>
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Martyn is used to me watching Mulan and Tangled on repeat and I think he agreed to join me on this holiday because he knew I really wanted to visit Disneyworld again but I don't think he expected to actually enjoy it himself. (He really did)</div>
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The first evening of our trip was spent at the hotel after two exhausting days of travelling. We chose to stay at the Coronado Springs Hotel which is part of the Disney resort. It has a Mexican and American South West feel and is set alongside a pretty lake and had an impressive Aztec themed pool. It isn't as ostentatiously Disney themed or aimed at children as some of the hotels in the resort as it has some conference facilities but it suited us perfectly. The rooms had been recently renovated to a very high standard and had all the amenities we needed. </div>
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<a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/7845/46997971812_4e810e6054_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7845/46997971812_4e810e6054_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I wanted Martyn to get a traditional Disney experience on the first day of our 9-day trip so we headed to the Magic Kingdom park on our first full day. You're struck by how beautiful the park is before you even enter when you're greeted by colourful floral displays and a steam train.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When I entered the Magic Kingdom for the first time since I was 14 and saw the castle at the end of Main Street I got a little emotional. The quote above the entrance reads "<span style="background-color: white;">Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy." which is 100% true. The theming of each distinct land in the park is so detailed and immersive you are transported to another world. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/7804/33173107868_89dc8c7638_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7804/33173107868_89dc8c7638_h.jpg" /></a></div>
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We both adored the classic attractions like Peter Pan's Flight, "it's a small world' and Tiki Room which you don't really find in UK theme parks where thrill rides are the main draw. The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train was a great addition to the park which wasn't there on my last visit. This new coaster was super smooth and the mine carts swayed and tilted with the track. </div>
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The 20-minute long firework, music and projection extravaganza Happily Ever After is the perfect way to end a day in this park. The show is a feast for the eyes, using Cinderella Castle as a backdrop and contains two of my favourite Disney songs - Out There and Go the Distance from the often-overlooked films Hunchback of Notre Dame and Hercules.</div>
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The Magic Kingdom is really iconic with its castle but Disneyworld is made up of a number of parks, all of which have a different theme and feel. <span style="font-family: inherit;">The Animal Kingdom lets you explore the wonder of amazing rainforests, African savannas and Asian jungles in an immersive wildlife experience. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The highlights for me were the Kilimanjaro safari where you can see up to 34 different species including giraffes, hippopotamus and lions and Expedition Everest, a thrilling roller coaster that travels backwards as you are being chased by a yeti. Fun fact - <span style="background-color: white;">Expedition Everest is the most expensive roller coaster in the world.</span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: nowrap;"> It</span><span style="background-color: white;"> was reported to cost </span>$<span style="background-color: white;">100 million to build.</span></span></div>
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During our time in Orlando, the Epcot park was hosting Festival of the Arts and there were lots of booths with artists, performers and food inspired by art. I particularly enjoyed the Disney on Broadway performance in the park where I was able to enjoy songs from favourites like Aladdin, Little Mermaid, Frozen and High School Musical performed by Broadway stars. The park is also home to the World Showcase where you can learn about cultures from 11 countries and sample their food and traditions. </div>
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The park I most enjoyed spending time in and soaking up the atmosphere was Hollywood Studios. Most of my childhood memories come from this park - the Beauty and the Beast live show, Fantasmic and the thrills of Tower of Terror. I love the feel of Old Hollywood on Sunset Boulevard all lit up with neon lights. <br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />My last visit to this park was in 1999 so I was excited to return and see the new Toy Story Land. I thought the Slinky Dog Dash coaster would be an attraction aimed at children but it was ideal for all ages. It <span style="text-align: start;">twists and turns past giant toys in Andy’s oversized backyard! It's even more impressive at night when it is all lit up. I recommend trying to get a place in the queue when the fireworks are going off just before park close as wait times can be very long early in the morning. </span></span></div>
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A few aquaintances scoffed when I, a 32 year old woman, said I was going to Disneyworld. I know some people travel to seek out a type of authenticity or cultural discovery but there's nothing wrong with a simple, fun holiday. Is Dinsey a man-made construct? Yes. Does that make it any less fun or valid? Not really. I had an absolute blast on my holiday but also equally enjoyed my rail trip to Switzerland. </div>
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An aspect if the trip that I loved but haven't touched on in this post is all the Disney dining and treats. You can read all about my<a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2019/10/my-favourite-foods-at-walt-disney-world.html"> favourite Disney eats</a> in an older post and what I packed for my trip <a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2018/07/disney-world-trip-planning.html">here</a>. </div>
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Roll on Disney 2021!! (trip planning in progress) </div>
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Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-83505794571380972792019-10-06T20:21:00.001+01:002019-10-06T20:21:37.868+01:00My favourite foods at Walt Disney World - Quick Service Dining Plan<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My holiday to
Florida back in February feels like a lifetime ago now. I’ve had blog posts in
my drafts for months but I’ve been taking a little blogging hiatus. You might
have thought I had disappeared forever or not even noticed my absence but I’m
back and ready to bombard you with all my travel tips and photos!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since I’ve
returned from my Disneyworld vacation I’ve had friends and family ask me for
holiday planning tips, itineraries and food recommendations. Going to
<a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2018/07/disney-world-trip-planning.html">Disneyworld</a> can be overwhelming so I thought I would write a series of blog
posts sharing my highlights of what to see, where to stay and what to eat. The
next time anyone asks for tips I can send them the links ;) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I got quite a
good deal when booking my trip to Disneyworld resort in Florida. I got a very reasonable rate for the hotel as some construction work was going on elsewhere on the
site. I also got free dining, a $100 Disney gift card and Memory Maker for
unlimited ride photos. There was also an offer where I got a 14-Day Ultimate
Ticket for the price of a 7-Day Ticket for entry to all Disneyworld parks including
the water parks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I booked through
Virgin and these types of deals tend to come around once a year and are
available at the moment until 22<sup>nd</sup> October. This was a good deal for myself and my husband but you can stay off-site, takes snacks into the park and get hotel discounts at other times of the year so I recommend working out which deal works best for you and your family. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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The Quick Service plan I had looked a little like this:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;">• 2 Self Service meals, with 1 alcoholic or soft
drink per meal</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">• 2 Snacks</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">• 1 Refillable
Resort Mug per stay</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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You get this every day you stay at the resort and it was more than enough as
Disneyworld portions are far from small. Enough of the details, let's get to the food!<br /><br /><b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">The Polite Pig</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I love a chicken tender or a burger as much as the next person but this isn't all Disney has to offer. There are a number of independent restaurants in the Disney Springs area and one of the foodie highlights of the trip for me was our stop at <b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">The Polite Pig</span></b>, run by a local husband and wife duo. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I opted for the tasty <span style="background-color: white;">Coffee Rub USDA Prime Brisket served with Jalapeño Cornbread, Signature Polite Slaw and sweet potato tots. The brisket was tender and the coffee rub was very subtle. This was included in our meal plan - no cash needed and I simply had to</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> scan my MagicBand at the till and the appropriate number of credits were be deducted from your account. Don't forget to visit the sauce bar if you eat here and try out all the amazing BBQ and ranch sauces. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">Refreshment Port - Poutine</span></b></span></div>
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The Traditional Poutine served up at the Refreshment Port in Epcot was a great use of a snack credit and filling enough to have for lunch. This is the Disney version of a Canadian favourite French Fries, Beef Gravy and Cheese Curds. This little stand also has seasonal specials and is serving up Duck Confit Poutine at the moment. </div>
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<b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">Storybook Treats - Peter Pan Float</span></b><br />
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This Peter Pan Float at the Magic Kingdom was ideal on a roasting hot and humid day in the park. It's Sprite topped with lime Soft-serve and a Chocolate Feather. It comes in at $5.99 and is snack credit eligible. So refreshing! </div>
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<b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">Karamell-Küche - Mickey Krispie treat with Werther's caramel</span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">The </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: start;">Karamelle-Kuche</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> shop in the Germany Pavilion in Epcot is a caramel lovers heaven. It features freshly made caramel popcorn, caramel apples, strawberries, marshmallows along with gourmet caramels, cookies, brownies, fudge, and cupcakes. I couldn't chose just one item from caramel counter of dreams so I picked up this Mickey shaped krispie treat and a huge bag of popcorn.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: inherit;"><b>Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie - Macaron </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Epcot really is the park filled with foodie treats and the macaroon with raspberry and lime cream that I got there didn't disappoint. The fresh fruit and sharp lime cream was the perfect filling for a sweet macaron. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The deli–bakery counter is stocked with goodies such as salads, quiches, soups, and delicate pastries. Breads and pastries are made in the bakery above Chefs de France and offers a pretty authentic Parisian experience.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The Trolley Car Café - Carrot Cake Cookie</span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;">You can pick up this humongous carrot cake at the Starbucks in Disney's Hollywood Studios. This store has all your typical Starbucks offerings plus some Disney bakery treats </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">and</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;"> things unique to this location. If you're in Hollywood Studios I would say this is a must try item and would </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">easily service two people. It isn't over spiced and has the perfect cake to frosting ratio. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Top tip - the Starbucks stores across Disney all have free iced water which you can help yourself to instead of buying bottles water and save some serious $$$. (The water from the drinking fountains tastes gross) </span></div>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: inherit;"><b>Mickey Pretzel - Available at stands all over the resort</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A giant pretzel, shaped like Mickey which comes with plastic cheese. Dreamy! These are a classic and available all over the parks. I grabbed one of these as a substantial snack to eat whilst watching the nighttime show Fantasmic. Some of my other favourite Mickey shaped snacks I tried during the trip were the colossal cinnamon swirls available at Starbucks in Animal Kingdom and the </span><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -1px;">Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Sandwich - cookies and cream ice cream sandwiched between chocolate cookies. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -1px;"><b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">D-Luxe Burger - Disney Springs </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.disneysprings.com/dining/d-luxe-burger/" style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;">D-Luxe burger</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> was high up on my to-eat list before heading to Florida - I had heard some great things about it from Disney Vloggers. I opted for the barbecue </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">burger - a signature blend beef patty topped with a fried onion ring, smoked gouda, bacon, barbecue sauce, grilled onion and lettuce. De-lish! As I was on holiday and </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">living</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> my best life I washed this down with a artisanal gelato shake - I highly recommend the chocolate one. </span></span></span></h5>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The fresh cut fries are a must because of the sauce bar where you can stock up on three-mustard and honey, garlic ranch, curry ketchup, chipotle mayo and buffalo sauce. I'm a little bit obsessed with ranch sauce so I loved the help yourself sauce station. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This place get very busy and we had to wait a while for our food to come so I recommend ordering your food via the Disney Experience mobile app before heading in. There are also some secret menu items on the mobile app so worth checking out. </span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">Big Top Treats</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #2c2f34; font-family: inherit;">Big Top Treats is a feast for the eyes and filled with counters of treats made on site - lots are inspired by Dumbo and the circus. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">S</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2f34; font-family: inherit;">ome of the treats you can find there are</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2f34; font-family: inherit;">cotton candy, house-made popcorn, candy coated apples, chocolate dipped strawberries, chocolate dipped marshmallow wands or pretzels, character inspired cake pops, assorted Disney themed cupcakes, and crispy treats. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2f34; font-family: inherit;">It’s fun to watch the sweet treat creators dipping and designing these special treats right in front of you. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #2c2f34; font-family: inherit;">The </span><span style="color: #2c2f34;">candy</span><span style="color: #2c2f34;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> apples and cupcakes look and taste amazing but can be enormous or a little tricky to eat. My top pick from big top treats is the chocolate dipped rice krispie treat covered in M&Ms. These freshly made ones are so much nicer than the pre-packed ones you can pick up all over the parks. </span></span></span></div>
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<b style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">Joffrey's Coffee strawberry ice tea & doughnut </b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A big shout out also goes to Tangierine Cafe in Epcot. where I had a relatively healthy Shawarma Chicken and Lamb Platter which came served with a side of Hummus, Tabouleh, and Tangierine Couscous Salad with fresh Moroccan Bread. This was a welcome bread from all things fried or sweet. The peanut better and chocolate cupcakes at the Coronado Springs Resort cafe were also <span style="background-color: white;">magnifique and worth checking out if you stay at that resort like we did. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">This post barely scratches the surface of all the food on offer at DisneyWorld as this is just a selection of things I tried during my 10 day trip. I didn't even have time to try the famous Dole Whip whilst I was there. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Any fellow Disney enthusiasts have a favourite park treat? </span></span></div>
Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-37592702098104399342019-01-11T23:38:00.000+00:002019-01-23T11:17:26.447+00:00My 2019 Goals - Manage my finances, travel + more<div style="text-align: justify;">
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1. Reflect</h2>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I'm not really one for waking up on the 1st of January and deciding I'm going to do Couch to 5k or make drastic life changes and giving up my job to go backpacking.</span></div>
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I think past year reviews are really valuable and more actionable than half-blindly looking forward with unrealistic resolutions. This year I want to commemorate the good moments and learn from mistakes. I plan on jotting a few notes down in my diary each week outlining people or activities that triggered happiness or anger. I'm hoping this will give me a big list of things to focus on in 2020. </div>
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I'll be able to reflect on the good and book things with friends and prepay for activities that I know will bring me joy and have things to look forward to. Step two is to then do the same with the negative events from 2019 and where possible, exclude them from my life or take steps to improve the things that don't make happy. </div>
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I used to be a keen scrapbooker (in the days before I wasted hours on Netflix and YouTube) and find it a great way to relax and focus on all the wonderful places I've been with family and friends. I've got a couple of empty scrapbooks that I plan on filling this year so I can look back on special moments for years to come. </div>
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2. Make more time for friends</h2>
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My job can be stressful and mean dealing with difficult situations and people, being challenged constantly and I'm always switched on. Hooked on checking my emails and worrying about things I can't change. By the time I get home from work I'm too drained to do much other than hang out with my husband and dog and listen to music. </div>
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Modern working life does lead to me feeling lonely and isolated, I see friends much less frequently now I'm in my 30s and I do sometimes like I've lost a sense of who I am. My friends now have commitments too - family, shift work or live far away but I wan't 2019 to be the year that I'm there for all of my friends. I want to make more time for small gestures like taking a cake in for a colleagues birthday, preparing a meal for <a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2018/04/disneyland-paris-2018-my-family-trip.html">family</a> and spending weekends visiting friends or committing to a long phone conversation or Skype catch up with friends who are spread out all over the UK and the world. </div>
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I've got my first proper catch up with the girls on Friday and I can't wait! We can plan our annual weekend away over a glass of wine. </div>
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3. Manage my finances</h2>
<span style="text-align: justify;">Martyn and I moved into </span><a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/search/label/new%20home" style="text-align: justify;">our first home</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">nearly three years ago but the house still isn't really finished. All the rooms have been painted and I revamped the kitchen by adding new doors and handles but there are still hardly any photos or artwork on the walls and I would like to replace some of the previous owners fixtures and fittings. </span><span style="text-align: justify;">Getting married and buying a house wiped out all of my savings so all major works on our home need to be planned in advance.</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><br />
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Converting the attic room is the big item on my to-do list along with painting the front of my house which requires scaffolding (super expensive). I can only really afford a lick of emulsion inside and a pot plant at the moment so this will take planning, saving and careful management of money coming in.<br />
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I plan on taking a few simple steps to save money. I've committed to spending more time researching better offers and interest rates. I paid for a holiday I booked on a credit card but I could have got a better deal by using a <a href="https://www.cashlady.com/bad-credit-payday-loans.aspx">payday loan</a> for the deposit then paying the rest of the balance off each month from my wages.<br />
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I'm usually lazy and let my insurance renew each year but this laziness and loyalty to one company real doesn't pay. I'm sure there will be a couple of hundred pounds worth of savings to be found by switching insurance and energy providers. I rarely use cash back sites or review my outgoings. I know that keeping a money diary or creating a simple budget will really help me to get to grips with my finances and approach my 30s in a less frivolous way.<br />
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4. Make my way through my huge to-read list</h2>
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You really wouldn't guess that I was a former <a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2014/07/day-in-life-of-fat-frocks.html">library assistant</a> because I barely read a handful of books last year. 2018 was the year I discovered K-pop and vloggers and lost hours of my life online. It is a fun way to spend my time but my dusty piles of books are just sat there making me feel guilty. </div>
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I plan on taking books to work with me to read on my lunch break and packing lots when Martyn and I head away in the caravan. Time away from electronic devices can only be a good thing and might help me stop checking my work emails and fretting over trivial things. </div>
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5. Travel</h2>
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I've travelled to some stunning places since meeting my husband. We hired a camper van and drove through the Scottish highlands for our honeymoon, bought a caravan for adventures all over the UK and have visited our favourite destination Austria a handful of times. This year we have trips to Orlando, Cornwall and Switzerland planned but I also want to enjoy destinations closer to home and explore my home city more taking my dog Coco for long walks. </div>
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I hope 2019 brings you everything you hope for. I'll be muting 'Brexit' on twitter, bopping along to K-pop (My love for <a href="https://twitter.com/Gemma_DS/status/1079427448343805954">BTS and BLACKPINK</a> is strong) and trying to live a simple and happy life!Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-91550589022321821532018-12-31T15:15:00.003+00:002018-12-31T15:18:04.382+00:00Innsbruck - My Winter 2018 adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4813/45316921935_d2a097800c_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a view of the city of Innsbruck with the Nordkette in the background" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4813/45316921935_d2a097800c_c.jpg" title="Nordkette" /></a></div>
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Austria is one of my husbands favourite places to visit and I've fallen in love with the beautiful country too. We last visited in 2016 and spent two weeks in the Zell am See area but we did have a few day trips in the surrounding areas including Innsbruck. It was beautiful in the Summer during our last trip but a few hours wasn't nearly enough time to fully explore what the city had to offer. You can read all about my brief <a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2016/07/travel-post-day-in-innsbruck.html">summer 2016</a> visit here for an idea of what to do if you're passing through this city in the Alps.<br />
I was excited to return to the city in winter to explore it dusted with snow and to wander around the Christmas markets sampling some Austrian treats.</div>
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The city was the perfect spot to spend five nights, enough to see and do to keep us busy in the day and have time to relax at the apartment in the evening. It was by far the most relaxing city break I've ever been on - the city isn't too busy and you don't feel the need to cram in loads of visits to museums and attractions. I returned home feeling relaxed and revitalised after what has been a very busy few months at work. (the reason for my absence from the world of blogging) </div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stay</span></span></h3>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We were lucky enough to find a spacious apartment with a balcony overlooking Innsbruck. The views were stunning and it was just a short bus ride from the city centre. The apartment was equipped with everything we needed for our short break and was perfect for a couple or small family.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our first stop, once we arrived in Innsbruck, was to head to the<a href="http://www.innsbruck.info/en/experience/innsbruck-card/innsbruck-in-24-hours.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"> Touristinformation Innsbruck</a> where you can buy the <a href="http://www.innsbruck.info/en/experience/innsbruck-card.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;">Innsbruck Card</a>, which offers free entry to most of the city's key attractions as well as unlimited public transport. Martyn and I picked up a 72-hour card for </span></span><span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; text-align: left;">€ 59.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> This </span>was<span style="background-color: white;"> super handy to help us get around by bus as our apartment was part way up the steep Nordkette mountain.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">See and Do</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Besides being an ideal spot for winter sports </span>Innsbruck is known for both its Imperial and modern architecture. The Nordkette funicular, with stylish stations designed by </span></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Iraqi-British </span><span style="background-color: white;">architect Zaha Hadid, climbs up to 2,256m from the city centre for skiing in winter and hiking or mountaineering in warmer months. If you're less adventurous you can head up the mountain for some great views and to admire the glacier like funicular stations like we did. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The funicular takes you to Hungerburg where you change to the cable car which will take you up to 1,900 metres to the Seegrube </span>and<span style="font-family: inherit;"> another short cable car up to Hafelekar, around 2,300 metres above sea level.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">In contrast to the natural beauty of Innsbruck, I also loved wandering around </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hofburg, the imperial palace. After very </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">extensive restoration work, the Imperial Palace can now be enjoyed in all of its 18th-century splendour. It's a great place to explore to get a feel for the lavish lifestyle of the Habsburg Dynasty. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Hofkirche, just </span>opposite<span style="font-family: inherit;"> the imperial palace is a memorial for emperor Maximilian I. The remains of Andreas Hofer, a Tirolean hero from the Napoleonic wars, are buried in this church. The church is also home to 28 imposing bronze statues. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">The historic city centre is home to the Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof), an ornate balcony with a roof covered with more than 2,600 gilded tiles as well as lots of shops, Christmas markets and cafes. It was lovely to stroll around this area at night when it was all lit up with fairy lights and choirs singing festive hymns. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We caught the Sightseer bus, from the city centre to Bergisel in the south of the city. At the top of the hill, we were greeted by Andreas Hofer, this time in the form of an imposing statue. Opposite the statue is </span></span>the Tirol Panorama which definitely worth a visit. It is a 1,000 square meter oil painting depicting a 360-degree view of the Bergisel battle and helps to tell the story of Andreas Hofer and the T</span><span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">yrolean fight for freedom.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Innsbruck’s ski jumping arena is a short walk from the Panorama. It was the centrepiece of the 1964 and 1976 Olympic winter games and was completely refurbished in 2003. An impressive sight!</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span> <span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I<span style="font-family: inherit;">f you're looking for day trips near Innsbruck you can head over the border to Munich with the train journey only taking 1hr 45 but we stayed fairly local and took a trip on the <span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">Mittenwald Railway</span></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">. This route has many tunnels along the edge of the</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"> rock face, including the almost </span>2-kilometre<span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"> long Martinswand Tunnel and is over 100 years old. If you want to take a insta pic of the spectacular view down into the Inntal Valley, you better be quick as there are just seconds before you'll be back in a tunnel again. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Martyn and I aren't really ones for formal dining and spent the cold evenings relaxing in our apartment so I'm not able to recommend any fancy eateries but we did visit during the Christmas market season and had plenty of tasty treats at those and a few glasses of </span><span style="background-color: white;">Glühwein</span><span style="background-color: white;">. If you're in Austria and stocking up on supplies at a grocery shop I recommend Almdudler (herbal lemonade) and </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Gugelhupf bundt cakes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">We enjoyed our strudel and hot chocolate at the Seegrube Restaurant which </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe;">is located </span><strong style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">high above the rooftops of Innsbruck close to the cable car station.</span></strong><span style="background-color: #fefefe;"> The restaurant is open all year round and serves classic Tyrolean cuisine. </span></span><strong style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Dining at 1,905 m was a really a unique experience!</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US">The next time you visit the Alps for a skiing holiday or are heading to Italy or Germany for a city break I highly recommend making a detour and heading to <span style="font-family: inherit;">Innsbruck -</span></span> the capital of Tyrol and host city of two Olympic Winter Games. It's often overlooked in favour of<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Vienna and Salzburg but the stunning alpine setting and a charming city centre make Innsbruck a great destination in its own right. </span></span></span></div>
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Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.com14Innsbruck, Austria47.2692124 11.40410240000005647.0968724 11.081378900000056 47.4415524 11.726825900000057tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-57878850588608161822018-09-06T20:57:00.000+01:002018-09-13T12:19:33.090+01:00My Pet Story<div style="line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">My Pet Story with Petplan - How A Dog Changed My Life</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">There are many reasons why dogs are known as man's best friend. The moment you welcome a fur baby into your life your world is turned upside down and you grow and change as a person. Even if you don't have a dog yourself I bet some of you are delighted when you meet a dog when you're out walking or when watching a cute dog video online. </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.petplan.co.uk/" rel="noskim nofollow">Petplan Pet Insurance</a> have asked me to share my pet story with you so I thought I would share the many benefits my dog <a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2017/05/spring-adventures-with-coco-in-cardiff.html">Coco</a> has brought to my life. Coco has lived with myself and Martyn for over a year now and I could not imagine life without him. He attended our wedding last year, came on honeymoon with us and is always the focus of our attention. </div>
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<b><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: inherit;">I think my dog is the best dog in the world </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Marnie the dog, Boo and Tuna used to be my favourite internet famous dogs but now Coco is undisputed champion of the dog world and I have 20,000 photos of him on my phone which prove this. He can do no wrong and his crooked smile and big expressive eyes melt my heart. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: inherit;">I'm no longer house proud</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was adamant that Coco would be well trained, sleep in his own bed and all of his things would be stored away neatly. This fell apart after about 2 hours of getting Coco into our home. His toys are strewn all over the living room, I'm always standing on his chew sticks and he is allowed to come into bed for a cuddle. I find it really hard to say no to Coco and he has taken over the house. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: inherit;"><b>I smile more</b></span></div>
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When he does something cute, I smile. When he learned how to wait until walkies to go to the toilet I smiled and even when he does something naughty I have to laugh it off and smile. Coco is a fantastic companion and I'm no longer lonely when my husband is on the late shifts and he encourages me to be positive. I do find it hard to smile when I'm scrubbing his wee and sick out of the carpet though, why is Coco never sick on the wooden floor?!</div>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: inherit;"><b>I stay in more </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Martyn and I went out far more </span>frequently before we got Coco. We ate out, went shopping together and had the freedom to go anywhere we liked. Our life has had to change dramatically since we got Coco. We have fewer holidays abroad and have bought a caravan so we can now take him with us wherever we go. We will be going to a dog friendly pub for our anniversary meal later in the month and many historic attractions are off the cards if we want to do things as a group. </div>
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I'm really not a fan of leaving Coco in a crate and I'm more than happy to find alternative attractions where he can come with us and we now make more of beaches and the great outdoors rather than more formal settings like museums. Is he worth it? 100% yes. </div>
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<b><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: inherit;">I move more </span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Owning a dog can motivate you to exercise every day. In the winter I go to work, come home and put my PJs on but now I have Coco bringing his lead to me or barking at me to go for a walk and I can't say no, even if it's raining or I've had a bad day.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Taking your dog for a 30 minute walk every day can greatly improve your health </span>and<span style="font-family: inherit;"> it really helps me to de-stress. I love to see how happy Coco is when we go for a walk, he looks back at me with a huge grin on his face. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: inherit;"><b>I fell in love </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dogs show the most unconditional love and I made a best friend the day we brought Coco home. He's my little shadow and follows me </span>everywhere<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and I wouldn't have it any other way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Petplan want to hear your Pet Stories too, so whether it is a recovery from illness or just their day to day mischief share your story on Petplan’s Facebook or Instagram using #PethoodStories</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><i><br /></i><span style="font-size: 15px;"><i><br /></i></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: 15px;">This post is in conjunction with Petplan but all thoughts are my own</span>.</i></span></div>
Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-39577536585573561842018-09-02T19:16:00.001+01:002018-09-02T19:16:13.125+01:00A Guide to Holiday Travelling in Style<div class="Body" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is easy to assume that when travelling, you must disregard all sense of fashion and style in lieu of comfort and ease. I believe that you can find a balance between the two. I obsess over the smallest details before I travel and even have holiday planning folders and lists of things to pack. Attention to detail before travelling means I'm not rushing around on the day of travel and have time to think about what to wear and styling an outfit that I will be both comfortable and confident in when I'm travelling.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">After selecting your chosen holiday location, the excitement of organising your holiday wardrobe can take over. I bought a pair of Minnie ears for my upcoming trip to Disneyworld before getting my ESTA (visa for travel) Not very practical! I've got cute themed outfits for each day but no </span><span class="Hyperlink0"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #0563c1;"><a href="https://manforhimself.com/what-to-wear-travel-mens/">comfortable clothes to journey in</a></span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">. I'm planning on wearing a jersey dress with a pair of comfy trainers and a lot of layers. After all, travelling between countries and continents does mean differing temperatures. My upcoming trip to Innsbruck will see me leave a relatively mild UK for a snow-covered Austria and my trip to the US will mean a huge jump in temperatures so I need to be prepared for the sudden change in climate when I step off the plane.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Without wanting to scare anyone </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">sandals are not an ideal choice of footwear for a flight. In the unlikely event of an emergency, it’s best to have a good set of sturdy shoes that will protect your feet. For my trip to Innsbruck I'll be wearing my walking boots on the plane as they will take up a lot of valuable space in my hand luggage only flight. With only a small amount of space for city breaks I like to be comfortable enough for sitting on a place for several hours but also pulled-together enough so that when we deplane I'm ready to hit the ground running and start exploring. </span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As with preparing any outfit, attention to detail is paramount. Looking at the different accessories when travelling, however, is even more important. Going through airports is stressful enough, without having to worry about your expensive watch getting lost or misplacing your favourite pair of sunglasses. So, limiting the number of items you carry on your person is probably a good idea. I tend to pack most of my accessories in the bag I check in. I've lost countless memory cards and belts by emptying my bag at the security check in at the airport. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">Travelling in style means looking your best for the circumstance, including smart matching suitcases or a sturdy backpack. I like to pick practical bags which can be wiped down if there is a spill and try to buy items that look luxurious yet can withstand the trials of travels and different weather. A </span><span class="Hyperlink0"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.czechandspeake.com/fragrance/product-category/leather/wash-bag/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">leather wash bag</span></a></span></span><span lang="EN-US"> is ideal and I also have plastic wallets for my camera batteries and chargers so they are safe from the rain. My oil cloth backpack comes everywhere with me and doesn't get tatty or grubby, ideal for hand luggage on a weekend break. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">Preparing for travel in style means a stress-free journey, allowing for you to take in the different sights or even shop at the airport duty-free, instead of worrying about your next move. A helpful way of overcoming this is to get your </span><span class="Hyperlink0"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://coupleofjourneys.com/manage-travel-documents/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">documents and itineraries</span></a></span></span><span lang="EN-US"> ready and put them away in a memorable, but safe, place. I've normally got a folder with maps, tickets and reservations all in one place. I know a lot of you will use apps and scan barcode tickets but I like to have everything printed out just in case my phone has no battery. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ultimately, you should be focusing on the exciting destination at the end of the travel! I find that detailed planning and preparation may seem unnecessary but it removes a lot of the stress of travelling. Planning allows me to be cool, calm and collected on the day of travel. </span></span></div>
Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-38674170936945592962018-08-22T21:14:00.002+01:002019-02-26T14:43:51.347+00:00Exploring North Wales - Week 2<div style="text-align: justify;">
I loved our <a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2018/08/exploring-north-wales-week-1.html">first week in North Wales</a> but we mainly visited the bigger seaside towns and more populated areas. For our second week, we left Colwyn Bay and headed down to the Llyn Peninsula to explore the <span style="font-family: inherit;">Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which is relatively unspoilt with a laid-back feel.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">We based ourself at <a href="https://coolcamping.com/campsites/uk/wales/north-wales/gwynedd/1001-aberafon">Aberafon</a> campsite for a week and it was an ideal location to explore the coast and Snowdonia. This campsite is all about the views; it's nestled between the beach and the mountains around 10 miles away from Caernarfon.<br /><br />Be warned that if you are staying at Aberafon the access road is very steep and narrow, ideal for campervans and campers but a little tricky to navigate for caravanners like myself and Martyn. There is a field right next to the beach where you can pitch up, but there are lovely views wherever you are situated on the site. Facilities at this site are very basic with only 6 showers for the whole site but the location makes up for this and we really enjoyed our time here. I really did feel switched off from the outside world and would love to return. </span></div>
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<a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1819/43839920222_5ebea439d4_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of Aberafon Beach" border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1819/43839920222_5ebea439d4_c.jpg" title="Aberafon beach" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1772/42983906905_8cf9703153_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of Aberafon Beach" border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1772/42983906905_8cf9703153_c.jpg" title="Aberafon campsite" /></a><br />
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Barmouth</h2>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wales has more Blue Flag beaches per mile than anywhere else in the UK and our favourite that we encountered on our trip was the one at Barmouth. </span></span>Barmouth lies between a mountain range and the sea on the<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"> mouth of the river Mawddach. We loved visiting this town so much that we returned for a second time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">There's plenty to explore with a pretty harbour, the</span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"> spectacular Barmouth Bridge and the old town. The very impressive bridge </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">is a Grade II listed single-track wooden railway viaduct across the River Mawddach. It is the longest timber viaduct in Wales and one of the oldest still in regular use in Britain. We spent our days there walking Coco along the beach and scoffing fish and chips from the Mermaid Fish Bar which I highly recommend. </span></div>
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<a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/929/43888371821_7866e3e21f_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of Barmouth" border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/929/43888371821_7866e3e21f_c.jpg" title="Barmouth" /></a></div>
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Porthmadog - Welsh Highland Railway & Beddgelert</h2>
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I've mentioned previously that both myself and my husband work in the railway industry. (You can read all my <a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/search/label/train">train related posts here</a>) It was pretty inevitable that we would visit some of the heritage railways in operation in the north because there are so many to choose from. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The original railway closed in 1936 but has been completely </span>rebuilt and restored by volunteers. Originally the railway carried thousands of tons of slate but tourists have now replaced this precious cargo. <span style="font-family: inherit;">The railway starts in</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Caernarfon but we joined it in Porthmadog Harbour Station where the Welsh Highland Railway and the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ffestiniog Railway depart from. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Welsh Highland Railway is a great way to see t</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">he awe-inspiring scenery of the Snowdonia National Park.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> You can relax in one of the</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> first class Pullman carriages or sit in one of the open ones like we did so Coco could pop his head out and feel the wind in his fur. </span></div>
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<a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/932/43170470264_2a63bf9476_c.jpg%5B/img" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of Porthmadog station on the The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways" border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/932/43170470264_2a63bf9476_c.jpg%5B/img" title="The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway" /></a></div>
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I was so pleased to have packed my lovely <a href="https://www.lighthouseclothing.co.uk/collections/womens-raincoats-jackets/products/bowline-showerproof-festival-rubber-jacket-dandelion">yellow rain coat</a> from Lighthouse because the day we decided to visit the Ffestiniog Railway it rained continuously all day. I couldn't get any photos that day so you'll have to take my word for it - it was stunning and featured an impressive waterfall. </div>
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<a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1817/42983899965_b202e4995b_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="this is a picture of a steam locomotive" border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1817/42983899965_b202e4995b_c.jpg" title="steam locomotive" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Beddgelert is a charming little town surrounded by mountains and is a base for many walking around Snowdonia. The town was beautifully festooned in flowers and is a great spot to stop off along the railway for a picnic. <span style="background-color: transparent;">Beddgelert (Meaning the grave of Gelert) is known for the sad tale of Prince Llewelyn ap Iorwerth and his faithful dog. You can read more about <a href="https://www.beddgelerttourism.com/gelert/">Gelert</a> here. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1798/42079610730_2d7666c112_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of a shih tzu on a train" border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1798/42079610730_2d7666c112_c.jpg" title="shih tzu" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you want a heritage railway experience you won't get better than these. At 25 miles in length, the Welsh Highland Railway is the longest heritage railway in the UK and the 200 year old Ffestiniog Railway is the oldest operational narrow-gauge railway in the world. </span></span></div>
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Llanberis</h2>
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The main reasons we wanted to visit Llanberis was for the views and to take a trip on the Snowdon Mountain railway. However, dogs are not permitted to travel on this railway (boo hoo!) so we took some time to wander around and get fish and chips (again). Definitely a destination I would love to visit again as many of the local points of interest and attractions were closed by the time we arrived. </div>
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<a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/855/30018771588_eefbbdb105_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of Llanberis lake" border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/855/30018771588_eefbbdb105_c.jpg" title="Llanberis" /></a></div>
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Anglesey - South Stack, Newborough Forest Beach & Bryn Celli Ddu</h2>
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<a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/860/42079733000_35e64539f8_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of south stack lighthouse" border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/860/42079733000_35e64539f8_c.jpg" title="South Stack" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We really didn't think we would be lucky enough to see the South Stack lighthouse. Once we had reached Holyhead the whole island seemed to be covered in a thick, grey fog. We parked up near the </span><a href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/south-stack-cliffs/" style="font-family: inherit;">South Stack Cliffs</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> RSPB Centre and thought we would have a look around there but as we descended </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">the steps to the lighthouse the fog lifted </span>and<span style="font-family: inherit;"> we were treated to clear views of the lighthouse and coast. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">For a sheltered view on a rainy day, head to </span><span style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Twr Ellin which is </span>equipped with binoculars, telescopes and a screen with a live feed from cameras out on the cliffs. The perfect place to spot some of the guillemots<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">, puffins and razorbills the area is known for!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Newborough (also known as Llanddwyn) – is a large sandy beach with views of mountains and is surrounded by a pine forest with red squirrels and sand dunes, both of which are perfect for exploring. If you're travelling without a dog you can walk over to Ynys Landdwyn. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">There is plenty to see over on the island including a lighthouse and an ancient churn dedicated to </span>Saint Dwynwen. Saint Dwynwen is the patron saint of lovers of Wales and she established a religious enclosure on the island in the 5th century and the ruins can still be seen today.</span></div>
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<a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1839/43840065502_3861885e23_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of Bryn Celli Ddu burial chamber" border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1839/43840065502_3861885e23_c.jpg" title="Bryn Celli Ddu" /></a></div>
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The last stop on our Anglesey tour was Bryn Celli Ddu. It's a Neolithic chambered tomb excavated in the 20s and was constructed to pay respect to the dead. </div>
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The monument is believed to have first been a ‘henge’ or enclosure and was later made into a tomb or chamber. Human bones both burnt and unburnt have been found here along with a decorated stone. Amazingly the tomb is aligned to coincide with the rising sun on the longest day of the year. At dawn on the midsummer solstice, rays light from the rising sun light up the chamber. </div>
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Morfa Nefyn</h2>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We spent our last evening at Morfa Nefyn and the nearby </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">fishing hamlet of Porthdinllaen. We enjoyed a pint at the</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> Ty Coch, which was voted one of the top ten beach bars in the world. </span>Only locals have vehicle access to Ty Coch so visitors must walk across the golf course on top of the headland to reach the pub. <span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">This area is really popular with water sports enthusiasts and is a great place to relax with a pint whilst looking out over the Irish Sea. </span></div>
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<a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1776/43888367041_24ef2c027f_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of Morfa Nefyn beach" border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1776/43888367041_24ef2c027f_c.jpg" title="Morfa Nefyn" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We had the most wonderful time in North Wales and even though we spent two weeks exploring the area there is so much we didn't have time to see and do. I know we will both definitely be returning here in the future. Criccieth, Abersoch and Pwllheli are all on the 'to visit' list for our next trip to North Wales. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We are missing exploring the UK in the caravan so we are looking to </span>book a weekend break<span style="font-family: inherit;"> in September for our first anniversary in Shrewsbury before we pack everything away for the winter.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Even if you aren’t celebrating an anniversary or planning a family camping trip, I encourage you to <a href="https://www.friendshiptravel.com/cheap-singles-holidays.html">find a cheap singles holiday</a> to Wales because if this trip has taught me anything it’s that the world is just there to be explored! North Wales is a destination not be missed. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />We also have trip to Innsbruck booked for later in the year and the big Disney trip to Florida early next year, Lots to look forward too and plenty of travel posts!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span>Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.com12Wales, UK52.1306607 -3.783711700000026249.6502257 -8.9472857000000268 54.6110957 1.3798622999999735tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-22320895632820457052018-08-10T11:12:00.000+01:002019-02-26T14:44:10.248+00:00Exploring North Wales - Week 1<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've lived, worked and studied in South Wales all my life and to my shame, I had never been to North Wales until my recent trip. It took 30 years of my life to get north of Machynlleth and boy was I silly to leave it that long.<br />
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Martyn, Coco and I had two weeks in our <a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2018/03/meet-florrie-our-freedom-caravan.html">little caravan</a> to take in as much of North Wales as possible and this special trip really showed me the splendour and beauty of my home country. #ProudWelshGirl</div>
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We based ourselves on the north coast for week one and on the Llyn Peninsula for week two to be able to take in as many of the sights as we could. Our home for week one was the <a href="https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/campsites/uk/conwy/colwynbay/bronywendontouringcaravanpark">Bron-Y-Wendon</a> Touring Park just outside Colwyn Bay. This site was very well appointed with fully serviced pitches (electric hook up, fresh water and grey water disposal) and spotlessly clean shower facilities. We had fantastic sea views from our pitch and the campsite was very calm with only a few children around during the school holidays. The only negative was some noise from the A55 which ran close to the site. </div>
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We were able to cram lots in to our first week and still have plenty of down time to relax in the caravan. We were not blessed with ideal weather, it was either roasting hot or misty and raining so all the pretty dresses and <a href="https://www.quizclothingus.com/clothes/tops/going-out-tops/" rel="noskim"> going out tops</a>
I packed weren't much use and I spent most of the time in leggings and a rain coat - who says caravanning isn't glamorous, ey?<br />
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There are lots of destinations I didn't take photos of or that we only stopped off at briefly but I've tried to share the edited highlights below (I don't think you all need to see 400 photos, most of which are of my dog).</div>
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Llandudno</h2>
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Llandudno is a classic Victorian seaside town and is popular with visitors from nearby cities like Liverpool and Manchester. It is home to Wales’s longest pier, offers superb views and all the ice cream, dinky doughnuts and candy floss you can dream of.<br />
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Once we walked along the pier and enjoyed a Punch and Judy show we headed up the Great Orme which rises 207 meters above the sea. The Orme is home to some interesting flora and fauna and the largest prehistoric copper mine in the world. The main reason that Martyn and I wanted to visit is because we are transport geeks and wanted to travel on the only cable hauled tramway in the UK.<br />
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The Great Orme Tramway in Llandudno opened over a century ago in 1902. It's open everyday from late March to October with a adult return ticket currently priced at £8.10. At the halfway station you can learn all about the Tramway's history, before heading to the summit. The views at the top of the Orme were simply stunning and are not to be missed if you are in the area. </div>
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Conwy</h2>
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Conwy was such a charming walled town with an impressive castle. If the weather is good and you are travelling by train I recommend walking over or to Deganwy railway station for spectacular views of the castle and the surrounding area.<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are plenty of lovely shops where you can pick up some lovely Welsh produce and I highly recommend a pit stop at Parisella's of Conwy for some award winning ice cream (the salted caramel and raspberry ripple are divine) and Popty Conwy bakery for some affordable lunch options and a nutella stuffed doughnut of dreams pictured below. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Don't miss a visit to the marina where you will find the smallest house in Great Britain. It measures just 72 inches wide by 122 high and was once home to a 6ft3 fisherman! </span></div>
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<a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/852/30018705568_69525ee982_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of a nutella filled doughnut" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/852/30018705568_69525ee982_c.jpg" title="nuttella doughut" /></a></div>
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Betws-y-Coed</h2>
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Betws-y-Coed is known as the gateway to Snowdonia and has more outdoor shops catering to walkers than I've ever seen in a tiny town before and plenty of trails heading to waterfalls and forests making it the perfect spot for adventurous travellers. </div>
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Martyn and I headed to the town to see the lovely scenery but also because it has a lovely railway station and links to the <a href="http://www.conwyvalleyrailway.co.uk/">Conwy Valley Railway</a> line which I've wanted to explore for a long time. <span style="font-family: inherit;">From our departure at Betws-y-Coed to our arrival at Llandudno we were treated views of the castle at Conwy and dramatic landscapes. The 27 </span>mile<span style="font-family: inherit;"> long Conwy Valley line offers one of the most beautiful rail experiences in Britain, well worth a visit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The station building and street was home to some great cafes and restaurants. We stopped off at Hangin' Pizzeria as we were ravenous after a day of exploring and to escape the heatwave going on outside. They have a great selection of pizzas with vegan and gluten free options too. A percentage of proceeds go to animal conservation charities so you get to eat pizza and do a good deed. I opted for a garlic butter, goats cheese and caramelised onion pizza which was thin and crispy which is just how I like it and it was enormous. Great spot for lunch!</span></div>
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Bangor</h2>
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Bangor was a surprise stop on our trip but I'm so glad we made time to briefly pass through. We had hoped to visit Bodnant Gardens but they do not allow dogs in so we had to think on our feet and visited Garth pier. The pier in Bangor is Grade-II listed and equally as lovely as the more famous pier in Llandudno. It is very charming and not filled with shops and stalls selling tat. It's perfect for promenading along like the Victorians did and taking in the views of the Menai Straights and Suspension Bridge.
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The <span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Menai Suspension Bridge was opened in 1826 and is a marvel of </span>engineering<span style="font-family: inherit;">. Thomas Telford's' creation helped to link Anglesy to the mainland as previously the only way to travel between the two was to walk at low tide of get a ferry boat.</span></span></div>
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Llanfair PG</h2>
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There isn't a lot to see at Llanfair PG station but I had to make a quick pit stop at the station with the longest name - Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. In English it means 'Saint Mary's Church in the hollow of white hazel near a rapid whirlpool and the Church of Saint Tysilio near the red cave. The name is spelt out phonetically underneath so you can try pronouncing it when you visit. </div>
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If these photos haven't persuad<span style="font-family: inherit;">ed you to </span><a href="https://www.greatlittlebreaks.com/last-minute/" style="font-family: inherit;">book a last-minute weekend break</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> to Wales then next weeks post featuring Barmouth and more of Anglesey certainly will. It get's even more beautiful and remote on the Llyn Peninsula! Can't wait to share the next instalment with you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/search/label/Wales">You can read all of my posts about Wales here.</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*post may contain affiliate links</span></div>
Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-25154390013469509152018-07-09T09:22:00.003+01:002018-07-09T14:27:53.737+01:00Disney World Trip Planning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZD4I0icxZKm1j3MtJZu19a0mZEmkorvIktYZPUpoLck7eC06bMEdBcjKAikuQuPgVHc50qQtdGfTaD17zElD9u6oy4RTGQe46W5hAPuGTj4Fb98hg6Ubv2uSHW9Ht_esWKPLU0ettLg-I/s1600/Disneyworldtrip+planning1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="945" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZD4I0icxZKm1j3MtJZu19a0mZEmkorvIktYZPUpoLck7eC06bMEdBcjKAikuQuPgVHc50qQtdGfTaD17zElD9u6oy4RTGQe46W5hAPuGTj4Fb98hg6Ubv2uSHW9Ht_esWKPLU0ettLg-I/s1600/Disneyworldtrip+planning1.jpg" /></a></div>
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So, I booked a trip to Disney World on a whim last week... Why not, ey?!</div>
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I've been to Disneyland Paris a few times as an adult but I've not visited the parks in Orlando since 1999 when I was still in High School. I was 14 during my last visit so my mum planned the whole thing and I just took it all in, one day at a time and didn't have to organise a thing. This time the planning will be all down to me and I want to make the most of every minute of our trip as it's not something my husband Martyn is likely to do with me again (he's not the biggest Disney fan.)<br />
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My brother has been to Orlando recently and I've got a former cast member colleague so I'll be asking them for lots of Disney World advice but I have started to put my own little plan together and I'm slightly overwhelmed, there's so much to think about! The adverts make it look like you will be skipping around the parks hand in hand with Mikey and waltzing up to attractions and walking straight on but previous experience tells me otherwise. To make sure I have plenty of fun and enjoy both the build-up and the holiday I've broken my planning down into smaller, more manageable chunks.<br />
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Itinerary </h2>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">I would like to have a rough idea of which park we are heading to each day so I can make some dining reservations and book our FastPasses (more on this later.) I don't want to have every minute accounted for and plan on having plenty of downtime. We will be in Orlando for just under two weeks so a few days at the water parks, relaxing in the hotel pool and a few cocktails in DisneySprings will be a welcome break after walking 30k+ steps in the parks. </span></h4>
I've got a notebook and a folder for all my tickets, this girl is organised! There are some great tools out there to help plan like this <a href="http://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B5vszJxIuBhqQm03Ni1valNRanM">spreadsheet</a> and you can find my day planner below.<br />
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FastPass+</h2>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">FastPass+ is a digital ticketing system that allows Disney World ticket holders the opportunity to skip the line on three attractions per day. These are completely free and if </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">you are staying at a Disney Resort hotel like we are, you can make your FastPass+ selections up to 60 days prior to check-in for the duration of your stay. I'll be looking to get some passes for the attractions </span>that<span style="font-family: inherit;"> weren't there on my last visit or in Disneyland Paris so I have a unique experience this time. The attractions at the top of my FastPass+ list are Avatar: Flight of Passage, Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safari, all the mountains (Space, Thunder and Splash), Test Track, Slinky Dog Dash in the new Toy Story Land and the classic Tower of Terror. </span></span></div>
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Dining Plan</h2>
We have a free Disney Dining Plan as part of our booking, this entitles us to two snacks per day and two counter service meals with a drink of our choice (you can have alcohol, shakes, hot drinks etc). You can upgrade and get table service meals but booking reservations for so many sit down meals would put restrictions on our time and whilst this would be nice it is an extra expense and after looking at the menus for confer service food I know we will be more than happy with the variety.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I will make a couple of reservations - I would love to have breakfast at Be Our Guest in the grand ballroom. I also fancy watching the fireworks from our table during a meal in 'Ohana which offers <span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">Hawaiian-style grilled food. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are some counter service restaurants which have great reviews so I've made a note of those so I can plan where we eat around the attractions we have a FastPass for and so I don't miss any of those classic snacks like dole whip floats and ice cream cookie sandwiches. </span></span></div>
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Supplies</h2>
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I've shared some tips for <a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2018/03/packing-for-disneyland-paris.html">packing for Disney</a> on the blog before and a bit of planning ahead can save you money when you're in the park and make the day even more enjoyable so I like to put a together list to make sure I've got everything I need. Who wants to pay $8 for paracetamol or $10 for a poncho if it rains? Not me! </div>
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Between myself and Martyn we will have the following items in our bags when we are exploring the parks:<br />
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I will also make a list for my big suitcase and plan on taking comfy shoes, light layers and some snacks for the hotel room. I will also be packing some cute Disney themed outfits. Yes, I'm 30 but I'm totally ok with being basic. I'm not going full-on Disney princess but I do have this <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/527429547/disney-haunted-mansion-inspired-unisex?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=leota%20tshirt&ref=sr_gallery-1-1">Haunted Mansion t-shirt</a> and fancy getting something with a tropical vibe for my days in Animal Kindom - maybe some dresses with animal or palm print like these ones from the <a href="https://www.quizclothing.co.uk/plus-size/occasionwear/" rel="noskim">Plus size occasion wear</a> section at Quiz.</div>
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I've already made a big start on planning and the next stages will be making dining reservations 180 days before we go and booking those fast passes 60 days before our trip. If anyone reading this is a Disney veteran and has some tips for me please leave a comment below. I would love to know what your favourite Disney attractions are, any top tips for what see that's underrated and snack recommendations. </div>
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*posts may contain affiliate links.Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-29928740280813254592018-06-19T18:31:00.002+01:002018-06-19T18:31:08.538+01:00Long Weekend in Cheddar - with the Camping and Caravanning Club<div style="text-align: justify;">
Since getting our caravan last year we've only been away for one short break in it. Our first trip was just a few miles away from our home to test everything out and get used to towing. Our trip to Cheddar was our first proper mini break in Florrie (our Freedom Caravan) and it was the perfect location to continue to get used to caravanning and wasn't too far to tow from our home in South Wales. </div>
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I've become a member of the Camping and Caravanning Club which comes with lots of benefits. Firstly you get a discount on club campsites and access to Certified sites which are small, privately run sites which operate under the Club's jurisdiction and can only accommodate a handful of caravans and tents. They can be secluded hideaways and because of their small size, they are often able to operate in areas close to beaches or in National Parks where bigger, more commercial sites aren't allowed. </div>
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Our campsite was situated on the outskirts of the village of Priddy, the highest in the Mendips. <a href="https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/campsites/uk/somerset/priddywells/cheddarmendipheights">Cheddar Camping and Caravanning Club Site</a> is an ideal base to explore all the area has to offer and would be perfect for walkers, climbers and families with kids who don't need a clubhouse to be entertained. The site has beautiful views, charming stone walls and was very tranquil. </div>
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The site offers pitches for touring caravans, motorhomes, trailer tents and tents including grass pitches and hardstandings with electric hookup. There are 90 pitches in total open to club members and non-members too. </div>
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Upon arrival were received a warm welcome from staff in the reception which also serves as a shop. The shop is open all season and sells locally produced meat, cheese, groceries, gas and anything you might have forgotten to pack. Fresh bread and pastries are baked each morning and available to pre-order. There's also a farm shop a short walk from the site where you can pick up produce and get a hot meal if you're not in the mood to cook. </div>
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Dogs are welcome on-site but can't be exercised there. Luckily there are plenty of public footpaths nearby where we could walk Coco. Coco can be a tad anxious if people are coming and going past the caravan and is very curious. Even though the site was fully booked for the Bank Holiday whilst we were there it was still very quiet and Coco behaved very well and was relaxed. </div>
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The site had spotless facilities including hot showers, washbasins and toilets, a laundry and dishwashing area. There is a chemical disposal point and the site has Wi-Fi (fees apply) and BBQs to hire. The site was perfect for our needs and I would love to return for a longer trip in the future. </div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The site is in an ideal location for exploring all that Somerset has to offer. </span><span style="text-align: justify;"> Popular tourist attractions such as Cheddar Gorge, Wookey Hole, Wells, Glastonbury are all just short drive away. Bath and Bristol are also within easy reach too. </span><span style="text-align: justify;">The site is about 40 minutes from Somerset’s sandy beaches including Brean, Burnham on Sea and Weston-super-Mare. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">We only had a long weekend in the area so we had to narrow down the list of towns and attractions we wanted to visit. We managed to cram in a trip to Wells, Glastonbury and Bream and a drive </span>through Cheddar Gorge. </div>
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<a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1745/41686643764_be76136696_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of vicar's close wells" border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1745/41686643764_be76136696_b.jpg" title="vicar's close wells" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We used the day we arrived on site to pitch up, relax and enjoy the facilities on offer and only ventured off site to walk the dog. On day two we headed out to explore the area and visited Wells, <span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">England's smallest cathedral city.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I adored Wells with its impressive cathedral and moated Bishop's Palace. It was a lovely place to wander around for a few hours and highlights included the picturesque <span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.3499999940395355px;">Vicars’ Close, which is believed to be Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited street. It is tucked away to the side of the Cathedral, just past the Music School so don't miss it if you are in Wells. The market was also fantastic and is held each Wednesday and Saturday. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.3499999940395355px;">Taylors of Bruton had some tasty baked goods and <a href="http://www.nuttsscotcheggs.co.uk/">Nutts Scotch Eggs</a> were </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.3499999940395355px;">delicious, I recommend the salmon ones or the black pudding. There are over 15 stalls offering tasty treats, perfect for a picnic on the green or to take back to the caravan like we did.</span></span></div>
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We left Wells and ventured back to the site via the impressive Cheddar Gorge to spend the evening reading, relaxing and scoffing our market goodies. We decided to head to Glastonbury on day three and visited the romantic and historic ruins of Glastonbury Abbey. </div>
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The entrance fee is £8.25 at the gate with gift aid (£7.50 without) and is discounted if you purchase in advance online at £7.43 (£6.67 without gift aid). The abbey is thought to be the resting place of <span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">King Arthur and Queen Guinevere and it is </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">believed that the Holy Thorn tree located in the abbey's grounds sprouted from Joseph of Arimathea's staff, who is reported to have visited the site just a few decades after the death of Christ. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white;">The abbey was ransacked during the </span>Dissolution of the Monasteries<span style="background-color: white;"> under </span>Henry VIII <span style="background-color: white;"> and now lies in ruins</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> set in 36 acres of parkland.<br /><br />The abbey is a very dog-friendly site and Coco loved playing in the grounds. I highly recommend taking a picnic and making a day of it.</span></div>
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We throguhly enjoyed our time in Cheddar and thought the caravan site was the ideal spot to relax and take a break from our hectic day jobs. To plan your own camping or caravan trip in the South West head over to the <a href="https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/">Camping and Caravanning Club site</a> for full listings of sites in the area.<br /><br />We are currently planning our next trip in the caravan and will be visiting North Wales in July. If you have any tips for dog-friendly things to see and do in North Wales please leave a comment below. </div>
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<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 5613px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 5613px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.com11Wells BA5, UK51.207018899999987 -2.652385800000047351.167228899999984 -2.7330668000000475 51.246808899999991 -2.5717048000000471tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-64505530560721340272018-06-05T14:52:00.000+01:002018-06-05T14:52:03.360+01:00Exploring Euston - The Lost Tunnels & Riding on Mail Rail <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4754/38650337350_1cfb51067b_z.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="This is a picture of 60s posters on the Euston - The Lost Tunnels tour" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4754/38650337350_1cfb51067b_z.jpg" title="Euston - The Lost Tunnels" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: inherit;"> I<span style="font-family: inherit;"> love a railway-themed attraction or museum and have visited lots of them all over the UK and Europe. (You can read all my <a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/search/label/train">train</a> posts here) I'm particularly interested in the history of the London Underground and have been on a few tours that explore the hidden history of this extraordinary network now. I've always fancied an abandoned station or tunnel tour after previously visiting the Acton depot and the London Underground's former HQ which is a gem of art deco architecture. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: inherit;">You have to be quick to get tickets for the Hidden London tours organised by the London Transport Museum and my husband and I have missed out on them before as they are released whilst we are in work. We were lucky enough to get tickets for the Euston Station Lost Tunnels tour when the museum last released a batch of tickets and were so excited for a glimpse behind the scenes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The tour explored a century of the station’s history, from its beginnings on the corner of Melton and Drummond Street to its future as part of an evolving and growing national railway network. I'm pleased that we were able to explore the lost tunnels before the site is transformed for HS2 and repurposed to delivery a more future-proof railway. The Underground is always evolving. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Euston has two station types, one a mainline station and the other, an underground station. Euston was the first mainline station to connect London to Birmingham in 1838. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The two branches of the Northern line were constructed by two competing companies and they had two separate entrances at Euston. Later the companies agreed to join the two stations with a passageway. The tour takes you through this now-closed passageway, the ticket hall and still has posters hanging from the 1960’s. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We really enjoyed exploring parts of the underground that are closed off to the public, the tunnels felt like a time capsule with British Rail posters and advertisements for Pyscho and West Side Story adorning the walls. The tours aren't cheap but are really immersive and well worth the ticket price. </span><br />
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Mail Rail</h3>
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Not content with visiting one transport themed attraction in one day we also made time to visit Mail Rail during our trip to London. We purchased a <a href="https://www.postalmuseum.org/visit/plan-your-visit/tickets-prices/">combined ticket</a> which gave us access to both the Postal Museum and a ride on Mail Rail - another chance to explore subterranean London.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">Inside the museum, there’s a whole host of items tracing the history of the postal service from its beginnings in Tudor times up to the present day. The museum is split into chronological zones and houses the first post box, various post vans and carriages and the only sheet of Penny Black stamps still in existence. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The part of the museum I was most excited to explore was the Mail Rail - </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">a 15-minute journey under the streets of London just opposite the Postal Museum. </span></div>
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<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4712/40460613961_3c5aa2587a_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4712/40460613961_3c5aa2587a_c.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For just under a century, (and unknown to many Londoners), a railway network operated under the city streets transporting the country’s correspondence. Mail Rail was introduced to ease the congestion on the roads of London and speed up the transportation of post. At its peak, it ran between Paddington and Whitechapel.</span></span></div>
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The network remains pretty unchanged since it was decommissioned in 2003 and sits deep below the<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Royal Mail’s Mount Pleasant sorting office. Mail Rail was closed as the cost to operate the system was far greater than transporting post via road but we have been left with a fantastic experience and chance to explore more of London's hidden history. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The journey starts when you board tiny carriages in the exhibition space. These trains were never intended for passengers and hefty me and my tall husband found them quite a squeeze. If you don't know the person who you are travelling with before the Mail Rail ride you will by the time you emerge at the other end! The tunnels are now home to dynamic video guides and testimonials from staff who used to work in the tunnels. The history of Mail Rail is far more interesting than you might expect!</span></div>
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<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4604/40460616521_b982ca0be6_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of Mail Rail at the Postal Museum" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4604/40460616521_b982ca0be6_c.jpg" title="Mail Rail" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4670/40460611751_59265cc259_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of Mail Rail at the Postal Museum" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4670/40460611751_59265cc259_c.jpg" title="Mail Rail train" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4649/40416850462_2278ffcf8e_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of Mail Rail at the Postal Museum" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4649/40416850462_2278ffcf8e_c.jpg" title="Mail Raul tunnel" /></a></div>
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Combined tickets for the museum and Mail Rail are currently £17 and the Euston - The Lost Tunnels tour costs £41.50. Both get a big thumbs up from me and Martyn. </div>
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Pin it for later</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLV1IQHHX-zaQnP1hXTUbnB860MMM7RbVJ5rwEvwpPoxs1acYEIU2Cx5yjwf4fffWv_k4GomfYLmHai0JaQf-dmyv78RP_iwjdmVj7DtdNzlgzkzHBDtBnmzSM94tBRsWtohwTOQWvXKy/s1600/www.fatfrocks.com.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of abandoned tunnels at Euston station - The Lost Tunnels tour" border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="735" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLV1IQHHX-zaQnP1hXTUbnB860MMM7RbVJ5rwEvwpPoxs1acYEIU2Cx5yjwf4fffWv_k4GomfYLmHai0JaQf-dmyv78RP_iwjdmVj7DtdNzlgzkzHBDtBnmzSM94tBRsWtohwTOQWvXKy/s1600/www.fatfrocks.com.png" title="Euston - The Lost Tunnels tour Mail Rail" /></a></div>
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<br />Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-82335294042410072662018-05-01T14:55:00.001+01:002020-10-09T21:12:19.780+01:00Cocktail Hour - 3 Spring Gin Cocktails<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's been a while since I've posted about my love of <a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/search/label/gin">gin</a> or even indulged in a glass of gin. My drinks trolley has been untouched since the festive period so I thought I would dust off some of my old favourites and make the most of the lighter evenings and have a gin in the garden.<br />
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Whether you’re looking to mix up something to impress your best mates or just fancy a midweek treat these cocktails I rustled up on the weekend are perfect and so simple to make. They don't contain anything too tricky to source and won't take hours to master.<br />
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The Rhubarb Rhubarb looks so fancy and tastes <i>amazing.</i> I’ve been a super fan of Edinburgh Gin for a couple of years now, particularly their liqueurs – which is one of the ingredients in this cocktail. The <a href="https://www.edinburghgin.com/shop/gins/rhubarb-ginger-liqueur?p=shop/gins/rhubarb-ginger-liqueur">Rhubarb & Ginger liqueur</a> has a lovely sweetness and a hint of warmth and spice. If you can't get a hold of this or want something budget friendly Lidl makes their own version which is available during Spring/Summer. I impressed myself with my cocktail making skills when I made this one as I'm not typically the most dexterous.</div>
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<h3>
Rhubarb Rhubarb</h3>
<b><br /></b> <b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">Ingredients </span></b><br />
50ml Edinburgh Gin's Rhubarb & Ginger Liqueur<br />
10ml Aperol (I used the Lidl version which is only about £6)<br />
25ml fresh lemon juice<br />
15ml sugar syrup<br />
1 egg white<br />
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<b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">Method </span></b><br />
Dry shake all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker.<br />
Add ice to the shaker and shake again for 15 seconds.<br />
Strain into a Martini or coupe glass.<br />
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<h3>
Elder Zest</h3>
This refreshing tall drink is a great mix of delicate elderflower and zingy lemon. Perfect for a BBQ!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">Ingredients </span></b><br />
25ml Gin<br />
25ml Edinburgh Gin's Elderflower Liqueur (I'm sure a dash of cordial will do)<br />
15ml fresh lemon juice<br />
Lemonade<br />
Garnish - lemon twist and mint leaves<br />
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<b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">Method </span></b><br />
Half fill a tall glass with crushed ice.<br />
Stir the gin, liqueur and lemon juice together in a mixing glass.<br />
Pour into the glass.<br />
Top up the glass with crushed ice.<br />
Top up with lemonade.<br />
Garnish with a lemon twist and a sprig of fresh mint.<br />
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<h3>
Gin Daisy</h3>
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Another sunny day drink, perfect for a sharing pitcher and quick to mix.<br />
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>Ingredients</b> </span><br />
50ml Gin<br />
25ml fresh lemon juice<br />
2 teaspoons grenadine<br />
Soda water<br />
Mint and lemon zest<br />
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<b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">Method </span></b><br />
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Shake the gin, lemon juice and grenadine with ice. Pour over crushed ice and fill the glass with soda water. garnish with mint and lemon zest. Ideally, you would make lemon zest swirls but I'm not particularly crafty with a knife and ended up with lemon zest lumps... For a more vivid pink colour add a little more grenadine. </div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Feeling inspired? Check out my other <a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/search/label/gin">gin</a> posts or visit <a href="http://misspond.com/category/life/gin-diaries/">Emma's blog</a> for some more ginspiration. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 2557px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 2557px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-75189526980392747052018-04-09T22:39:00.000+01:002018-04-09T22:39:08.726+01:00Disneyland Paris 2018 - My Family Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/867/41078411821_fc40c3c983_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of the Disneyland Paris castle" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="532" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/867/41078411821_fc40c3c983_h.jpg" title="Disneyland Paris Csstle" /></a></div>
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I've really enjoyed putting this post together because I've been able to look back at all of the photos I took of the beautiful Disneyland Paris park. I have visited Disney parks in Orlando as a child but only visited Paris for the first time as an adult. I was disappointed by Disneyland Paris during my trip five years ago as it was a little shabby and run down but the Walt Disney Company now has full control of the park and is making a lot of improvements. A lot has changed since my last visit and the renovations and attraction updates really impressed me and I'm already planning my next trip!</div>
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As <a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2018/03/packing-for-disneyland-paris.html">previously mentioned</a> the trip to Disneyland was my first family trip since I was a teenager. You might think Disneyland is an odd holiday destination for four adults but there's more to Disney than spinning tea cups. There was plenty to see, do and eat to keep us all entertained for a few days. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoxW9EqkNhN2FFgTe3C1tyFXRN93N8ZrSzG8fuklM5j0HttWhGhNjsX1s0x6ESsfdqEVNZUVDIWb3o1DsbL-AgNLjvQjm57YPU_o048CxV3bZyUg8vSuPkvwpbpEDV9BZO4lrTtKsdWfK/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-04-07+at+19.23.12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of the Disneyland Paris Gaston meet and greet " border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="1073" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoxW9EqkNhN2FFgTe3C1tyFXRN93N8ZrSzG8fuklM5j0HttWhGhNjsX1s0x6ESsfdqEVNZUVDIWb3o1DsbL-AgNLjvQjm57YPU_o048CxV3bZyUg8vSuPkvwpbpEDV9BZO4lrTtKsdWfK/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-04-07+at+19.23.12.png" title="Gaston - Beauty and the Beast" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/892/41036020022_33e1d2aa93_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of the Disneyland Paris main street" border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/892/41036020022_33e1d2aa93_c.jpg" title="Main Street USA" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/892/26207218267_7ceb33aa1a_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of the Disneyland Hotel Paris " border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/892/26207218267_7ceb33aa1a_c.jpg" title="Disneyland hotel" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSwUrTX-22O7fs60NECTH0hundNVR2KO2p3xqE4M7nEd13Htxh6nLrfVwtubiwMhTRrsPE2sKhiTr8t-AUBKGG41o9TRSBLFr2cOgDpDv-o9Yeg8Fa1sMIuXlVdy5QNGtOXxr0RG96XXT/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-04-07+at+20.56.37.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of Disneyland Paris cupcakes" border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="1072" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSwUrTX-22O7fs60NECTH0hundNVR2KO2p3xqE4M7nEd13Htxh6nLrfVwtubiwMhTRrsPE2sKhiTr8t-AUBKGG41o9TRSBLFr2cOgDpDv-o9Yeg8Fa1sMIuXlVdy5QNGtOXxr0RG96XXT/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-04-07+at+20.56.37.png" title="cupcakes " /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuF5L4rpKDhVhLD-ZGmOIHim6GFJTktplFhJAWyszMCV2ZaNAHbWkm1YnAXqqSj-sznDvY32yt_nb6rEMy0ZPpmWLDvARqPStCgs97Uzrja6FcZsc3FSVBFvz95i7FnBqnIz9nGZaLaYr/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-31+at+12.41.19.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of the Disneyland Paris castle with fireworks" border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="1023" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuF5L4rpKDhVhLD-ZGmOIHim6GFJTktplFhJAWyszMCV2ZaNAHbWkm1YnAXqqSj-sznDvY32yt_nb6rEMy0ZPpmWLDvARqPStCgs97Uzrja6FcZsc3FSVBFvz95i7FnBqnIz9nGZaLaYr/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-31+at+12.41.19.png" title="Disney Illuminations" /></a></div>
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Stay</h3>
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We stayed at the <a href="http://www.disneylandparis.co.uk/hotels/disneys-newport-bay-club/">Newport Bay Club Hotel</a> during our trip to Disney. My brother is an annual pass holder so we were entitled to a 50% discount off our stay, without this we probably would have stayed at the Sequoia Lodge or Hotel Cheyenne which are a bit more budget friendly. Staying at the hotel means you are within walking distance to the parks, Disney Village and the local train station for easy access to the city of Paris or the airport. Staying at the resort hotels also mean that you get extra magic hours in the parks and can beat the crowds and queues by getting in at 8.30am rather than 9.30/10am. </div>
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The hotel has a 1920's New England coastal theme and has everything you could need including restaurants, a bar, swimming pool, a fitness room and free shuttle bus to the parks if you don't fancy walking. Our room had two comfy double beds and was the perfect retreat after a busy day in the parks. Little tip - There are no hot drink facilities in the rooms but there are hot drink machines on each floor and you just pop your key card in to get a free coffee or hot chocolate.<br />
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See & Do </h3>
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Day 1</h3>
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We spent our first morning in Disney in the Walk Disney Studios Park. We arrived in the park just after it opened for the Extra Magic Hours and were able to walk straight on to Crush's Coaster (there is usually a nig queue) board a turtle shell and dive into the ocean. We absolutely loved this ride and were surprised by the speed you were swirled around the East Australian Current in the dark.<br />
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We were also able to walk straight onto Ratatouille by using the single rider queue. If you don't mind sitting by a stranger you can seriously cut park queuing times by riding alone. This attraction was charming and had 3D visuals and an impressive track system. You are shrunk down to the size of a rat cooking up a storm with Remy and friends before you are discovered by Chef Skinner, who chases you through the sights, sounds and smells of Gusteau's Parisian restaurant.<br />
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We managed to tick of lots of other rides with only minimal queue times including the terrifying Tower of Terror, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and smaller attractions in Toontown. This park is pretty small and you can get a lot done in just one morning and afternoon.<br />
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We spent the evening in the main Disneyland Park and the whole of the second day. There are five incredibly detailed and distinct lands in this park filled with classic attractions and street parades. You can encounter swashbuckling pirates on Pirates of the Caribbean, zoom through outer space on Hyperspace Mountain and enjoy fireworks and light displays over Sleeping Beauty Castle.<br />
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We were treated to glorious weather for the first evening in the park which meant we could explore all the different lands, take some photos and hang out with Aladdin and Jasmine in Agrabah. We decided to watch the illumination show on our second day and get on all the rides whilst the other visitors were watching the show. We were able to walk straight on to Pirates of the Caribbean (which looked great after a renovation) and Big Thunder Mountain only has a 20 minute queue.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 2</span></h3>
The weather on day two was utterly miserable all day with torrential downpours for long periods of time. We didn't want this to spoil our fun so we got our umbrellas out and plastic ponchos on and did all the rides in the pouring rain with the wind blowing in our faces and made the most of our time in the park. Once again we made use of the Extra Magic Hours and headed into the park at 08:30. We headed straight for the rides with long wait times like Peter Pan's Flight, Hyperspace Mountain and StarTours. This meant we could take the rest of the day at a leisurely pace and dry off whilst having a hot drink and enjoying some of the tame indoor rides where we could stay dry.<br />
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Mid March is a fantastic time to visit - the park wasn't too crowded as there were no school holidays and there were lots of attractions you could walk straight on to. We went on the Indiana Jones ride three times in a row and by keeping an eye on the queue times on the Disneyland app we could wait for queue times to shorten and never waited longer than 20/25 minutes for any attraction.<br />
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One thing not to miss is Disney Stars on Parade which takes place at 5pm everyday. The parade features colourful floats and costumes an even a fire breathing dragon. The parade lasts for about half an hour and I recommend heading to It's a Small World for a great viewing spot.<br />
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Another visual spectacular to enjoy is the Illuminations show which takes place at park closing time.<br />
This light show blends fireworks, water, lights and fire whilst Mickey guides you on a journey through impressive projections of famous Disney tales, old and new. I loved the show but there was a bit too much live action Beauty and the Beast and Pirates of the Caribbean in it for me - some<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Hunchback of Notre Dame or </span></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ratatouille would have been a natural fit for Disneyland Paris.</span></span><br />
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Eat & Drink</h3>
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If you're visiting Disneyland Paris and want the best dining experience I recommend planning your meals like we did. Reservations open up to 60 days before your trip and character dining and the most popular restaurants get booked up quickly. If you wait until you arrive to figure out what you fancy you may be left disappointed. This guide by <a href="http://www.dlpguide.com/planning/dining/">DLP Guide</a> is the best for reviews and up to date menus.<br />
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One of the highlights of our trip was a character breakfast at Plaza Gardens. I'm not too old to enjoy a pastry and coffee with Scrooge McDuck! There was a huge choice of continental breakfast, British favorites and sweet treats like waffles and pancakes. We were so full after breakfast we didn't eat again until 6pm that evening!<br />
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Cafe Fantasia is a wonderful place to relax after a busy day in the park. It's located in the fancy Disneyland Hotel and is softly lit bar with a live pianist. Drinks here aren't cheap but the service was impeccable and staff kept us topped up with a supply of snacks and Glowtinis. <br />
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If you're looking for something lighter than the typical pizza, burgers and chips on offer in the park I highly recommend the Cable Car Bake Shop and <a href="http://www.dlpguide.com/planning/dining/restaurant-menus/market-house-deli/">Market House Deli</a>. They offer sandwiches and salads for around 7 euro and have some tasty 25th Anniversary cakes (photos above) The Bake shop has a really cute interior and are a great spot to look over Main Street and get shelter if there is rain.<br />
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We loved the atmosphere in Captain Jack's where you can watch the boats go by from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and they had a good wine and cocktail selection. Staff in here were lovely and really attentive and efficient.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That turned in to a mammoth blog post but I hope anyone planning a trip finds it useful. Don't let being an adult put you off visiting Disneyland, my family all had a blast and we want to return next year!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-75852747967598686922018-03-25T08:30:00.000+01:002018-03-28T18:16:20.093+01:00Meet Florrie - Our Freedom caravan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDms25w18anPL5rBKT2R3E1VXMZmjFzqOrmTRHF0uQrypwsnuKgCX42x15op7GlC4u2v4TsAVywiy7PeNurAJBolarkKNY2A2914jhVsLPa4xcWASDm-CQfhBybD64_4oxSXrN4yF7XZXN/s1600/Happy+Day+of+the+Seafarer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of a freedom micro caravan" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDms25w18anPL5rBKT2R3E1VXMZmjFzqOrmTRHF0uQrypwsnuKgCX42x15op7GlC4u2v4TsAVywiy7PeNurAJBolarkKNY2A2914jhVsLPa4xcWASDm-CQfhBybD64_4oxSXrN4yF7XZXN/s1600/Happy+Day+of+the+Seafarer.png" title="freedom micro caravan" /></a></div>
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If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram you may have already seen a few snaps of the caravan that Martyn and I purchased at the end of last year but here she is in all her glory with lots of interior photos. </div>
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We've been thinking about campervan and caravan ownership for a long time. Martyn and I watch so many Van Life and caravan YouTubers, have visited caravan dealers and The Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show to get a clearer idea of the type of van that would suit us the best. We spent our honeymoon touring the <a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2017/10/north-coast-500-honeymoon-roadtrip-loch.html">North Coast 500</a> in a campervan which we hired. Whilst we loved this experience and the campervan was great it was just way too small for us(and too expensive). Campervans are ideal for short breaks and trips to the beach but didn't suit our little family and can feel a little cramped if you're stuck inside when it rains.<br />
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We came across our little microvan on a Facebook caravan sale group and we fell in love straight away. It is small enough to be stored in our garden, is a perfect weight to be towed by our car and offers a bit more room than a campervan and a lot more storage. We went to view Florrie and after a couple of days contemplation we took the plunge and bought her using a mixture of savings and money that we were given generously as a gift at our <a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2018/01/our-cardiff-wedding-ceremony.html">wedding</a>. </div>
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Florrie may be small but she has everything we need including a fridge, hob and grill and hot water. The seats fold out to create a double bed and we have loads of extra room if we put our awning up outside. The microvan doesn't have a bathroom like some bigger caravans do but we have a toilet that we can take with us if we want to and we only really intend on pitching up at sites with full facilities. </div>
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<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4788/27102377898_4ede41b9af_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4788/27102377898_4ede41b9af_c.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQJP8TsUiBXcBcNCmiSgrHYRxgsTZMh1ZvjsjOUliLu2OI0VFE6uK9FMLHBOzYuyoKAXU_oPypuulqC2rbgRA4MM_GODxarE6t0Ud_rR6kXdxn7rtvZ0e2A7e8ubtNng94McdQkipmfeG/s1600/IMG_20171027_103757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of a shah tzu in a caravan" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQJP8TsUiBXcBcNCmiSgrHYRxgsTZMh1ZvjsjOUliLu2OI0VFE6uK9FMLHBOzYuyoKAXU_oPypuulqC2rbgRA4MM_GODxarE6t0Ud_rR6kXdxn7rtvZ0e2A7e8ubtNng94McdQkipmfeG/s1600/IMG_20171027_103757.jpg" title="shih tzu" /></a></div>
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Coco really loves the caravan and gets to snuggle up in-between me and Martyn at night. </div>
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<a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/815/40079489205_f054ee98d9_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a hanging home is where you park it caravan sign" border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/815/40079489205_f054ee98d9_c.jpg" title="home is where you park it" /></a></div>
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Compared to the campervan we hired Florrie has loads of storage. There is a long wardrobe unit, plenty of storage in the kitchen area for all our cooking equipment, some slim overhead units in the seating area perfect for books and board games and storage under the seats for our bedding. </div>
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<a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/817/26101730997_4cd65e43cd_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of a freedom caravan interior" border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/817/26101730997_4cd65e43cd_c.jpg" title="caravan interior" /></a></div>
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We recently took the caravan on a trip to a local site to make sure everything is in working order before we embark on a bigger trip this summer. We are planning some long weekends in West Wales and I would love to return to the Lake District in the autumn. It won't be all grey skies and trips in the UK though. Martyn will have the chance to get his <a rel="noskim" href="https://www.simplyswim.com/collections/speedo">Speedo</a>
's out and Coco can have an ice cream on the beach as we are planning on taking the caravan to France in the summer and a return trip to <a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/search/label/Austria">Austria</a> is on the cards at some point. </div>
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So there you have it, our lovely Florrie. We have little bits we want to tinker with inside, have already added some extra insulation under the seats and I'm going to tone down the nautical theme a little so we can put our own stamp on the interior. </div>
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I'm conscious that most 25-30 something readers of this blog are probably not that into caravanning. Do you want to read more about our caravan travels? I can share some lessons we learn along the way? (Hitching up to the car for the first time was interesting...) Let me know if the comment section below. </div>Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-18679644700560668162018-03-21T22:43:00.001+00:002018-03-28T18:07:58.502+01:00Packing for Disneyland Paris <div style="text-align: justify;">
I’m so incredibly excited for my Disneyland Paris trip this weekend. I’m a big kid and can’t wait to ride rollercoasters, eat at Remy’s restaurant and top it all off with a firework, light and music extravaganza at the end of the night. </div>
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I’ve not been on a holiday with my family since the age of 15 and I’m looking forward to visiting Paris with my mum, brother and brother’s boyfriend (Coco and Martyn are staying at home). I started to think I was too cool to go on holiday as a family and opted to forfeit holidays to stay at home, listen to music loudly and have a house party with all of my friends. I have really missed going away as a family and have such fond memories of our trips to Disney in Florida in the 90s. It will be lovely to share this Disney experience with my family again and make new memories. </div>
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I have gone slightly overboard with Disney themed accessories for my trip but my brother and I are huge Disney fans and if you can’t be a Disney super fan when you’re in Disney then when can you?</div>
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I picked up a backpack for my trip from the Cath Kidston Disney collection in the sale. It's got plenty of space for my camera and flask to take into the park and has a splashproof/waterproof coating which will keep my things dry when it inevitably rains whilst I'm on a outdoor ride.</div>
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I've not been to Paris since 2013 (<a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2013/02/paris-disneyland.html">blog post here</a>) and my mum has never been at all so we will be spending some time in the city and not just on site and in our Disney hotel. I'm planning a whistle stop tour of all the top sights for my mum and have some museums lined up if the weather isn't the best on the day we visit. I don't like to rely on Google Maps so I always pack a guide with a fold out map tucked away in the back. </div>
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I'll be taking my instax camera along with my digital camera because the little instant photos are great for scrapbooking and my mum who isn't a social media fan can look back at the photos and take some home with her. My cute Disney camera enamel pin is from <a href="https://www.grapesoda.co/">Grape Soda Club</a>. I didn't really need this pin as I have a huge collection but it was too cute to resist and the photo slides up and down. </div>
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I don't really have a Disney princess outlook on life, I'm more of a angry villain so I'll be channelling the Evil Queen from Snow White with my accessories on my trip. Etsy have a great selection of handmade Minnie ears available and they are far more interesting (and some are cheaper) than the ones you can purchase in the park. </div>
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Disney resorts can be pretty expensive places so I've packed a few things which I hope will save me money on my trip. Food is going to be a big expense and we have booked into some great restaurants whilst we are there but but I've packed some tracker bars and nuts to snack on and I'm taking a refillable water bottle as you can fill these up at water fountains across the park. Water is 3/4 euros for a bottle in the park so I'll make a big saving each time I refill. I'm also taking some plastic ponchos to stay dry if it rains during the fireworks or parade, you can get these in Poundland and I'm pretty sure these would be 8 euros if not more in the park.</div>
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I've recycled an old work lanyard to keep my park tickets and fast pass tickets safe and dry whilst I'm in the park. It's a rather boring one but this gives me a chance to wear some of my pin collection which I mainly purchase on eBay. Lots of Disney fans collect pins and pin trading is a popular past time in the park. </div>
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The weather is due to be a bit grey and cold this weekend so I'll be wrapping up and packing lots of layers. The jumper below is from the Dinsey store Minnie Rocks the Dots range and will be lovely and cosy on chilly evenings in the park. We are staying in the rather lovely Newport Bay Club Hotel which has a 1920's New England feel with nautical touches. The hotel has a pool so I'll be packing some
<a href="https://www.simplybeach.com/collections/swimsuits" rel="noskim">swimsuits</a> including my polka dot one which has a Minnie Mouse feel. The pool will be a great way to unwind in the evening after a long day in the park. </div>
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I'll also be packing my comfy, battered old Converse because you can walk around 30k steps each day in the park and a waterproof coat.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Orlando (I guess I'm about 7 here)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I just need to get my boarding pass and passport ready and I'll be all set to go, 4 days until I go on holiday!! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you have any recommendations or tips for visiting Disneyland Paris please leave a comment below. </span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 270px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 270px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-55953956496972676452018-03-18T19:50:00.002+00:002018-03-23T19:05:26.825+00:00North Coast 500 honeymoon road trip - Eilean Donan Castle & the road home via the Lake District<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've really enjoyed sharing this series of posts about my North Coast 500 </span><a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/search/label/nc500"><span style="font-family: inherit;">honeymoon adventure</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, they have been a great way to reflect on a trip of a lifetime and the first one Martyn and I had as a married couple. This post will be the last in the series and I think I've saved the best until last. What can beat the sight of a Scottish castle in a loch and an industrial engineering marvel?! </span><br />
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As our Scottish honeymoon drew to a close we started to make our way back south after reaching some of the most remote locations on the Scottish north coast. We broke our journey up with pit stops at Kyle of Lochalsh, Fort William and the Lake District before heading back home to Wales. <br /><br />After a long drive from <a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2018/01/north-coast-500-honeymoon-roadtrip.html">Thurso</a> to Kyle of Lochalsh we spent the night at </span><a href="http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/campsites/uk/highland/rossshire/reraigcaravansite"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Reraig Caravan Site</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. We loved this small site and the facilities were completely spotless and had everything we needed. This was very welcome after more basic facilities on the north coast. The campsite is perfect for those planning on heading to the Isle of Skye the next day and is just a five minute drive from the magnificent Eilean Donan Castle. I first spotted this castle on our way to Gairloch earlier in the trip and I'm so glad we were able to stop there on the return journey. You can easily see why is is one of the most photographed locations in Scotland. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The first incarnation of the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">castle was built in the 13th century during the reign of the Scottish King Alexander II. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Initially, nearly the whole island was contained by a wall </span>and<span style="font-family: inherit;"> houses a </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">substantial main keep and towers to keep an eye out for any invading Vikings. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The waters </span>around<span style="font-family: inherit;"> the castle are shallow and potential attackers would have to wade over to the island </span>leaving<span style="font-family: inherit;"> their armour weighed down with water. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">During the medieval period the Highlands and Islands of Scotland were rife with clan feuds and the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> strategic position Eilean Donan meant it was a constant target and during the</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> 17th century, the castle was briefly held by a Parliamentarian garrison before passing back into Royalist hands. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">When the the British Government learned that the castle was occupied by Jacobite leaders and Spanish soldiers, three Royal Navy boats were sent to deal with the uprising. The tried to bombard the castle with cannons but the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">thick walls meant this had little impact. The government forces took the castle by force and once inside discovered barrels of gunpowder and blew the castle up. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Eilean Donan then lay in ruin for nearly two hundred years. The castle was not </span>rebuilt until 1932. </div>
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Simply stunning! I don't think I've ever seen such a picturesque sight. I recommend heading to the castle easily because it can become completely overrun by tourists. When we were there an American tourist was dressed as a princess and having a full on Disney style photoshoot outside the castle... </div>
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After ten days of driving on single track roads for hours each day we decided to take it easy and spend the night at the <a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2017/11/scottish-honeymoon-roadtrip-nevis-range.html">Glen Nevis Caravan</a> park near Fort William which we had previously stayed at when we visited Glen Coe earlier in the trip. We had a quiet evening with fish and chips and reading in the campervan. The large supermarkets in Fort William meant we could stock up on supplies and get some cheap diesel for the long drive back home. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The journey south was broken up by an overnight stop just outside Keswick at the </span><a href="http://www.scotgateholidaypark.co.uk/" style="font-family: inherit;">Scotgate Holiday Park.</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The site is ideal for camping all year round with it's tea rooms and facilities with underfloor heating. The majority of touring pitches have a shared tap between 2 pitches, electric hook-up, grey waste water disposal, tv aerial socket and hardstanding. We only had time to briefly stroll around Keswick but we loved how dog friendly everything is there. It made a nice change to be able to take Coco in a shop rather than one of us waiting outside. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Two railway workers like myself and Martyn couldn't visit the Cumbria/North Yorkshire area without visiting the Ribblehead Viaduct. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ribblehead viaduct is the most impressive structure on the Settle-Carlisle Railway. </span>The viaduct has 24 massive stone arches 104 feet above the moor. The viaduct is mighty but came at a cost. <span style="font-family: inherit;">Hundreds of navvies lost their lives building the line due to poor working </span>conditions<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and outbreaks of disease in the camps they lived in. Passenger and freight services still go over the viaduct. Taking in the beautiful scenery and gazing up at the viaduct was a wonderful way to end our honeymoon adventure. </span></div>
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We really did have the best time in Scotland and I would love to return because there is so much we simply didn't have time to see. I would recommend giving yourself at two weeks to fully experience the North Coast 500 like we did, especially if you have to travel up to Scotland from the South West.<br />
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As previously mentioned we toured this route in a VW campervan which we hired from <a href="http://www.morningvwcamperhire.co.uk/">Morning VW Camper Hire</a> in Newport. This was an ideal way to get about and saved a lot of time compared to pitching up in a tent but it did come with a hefty price tag. Lots of campsites had glamping pods and there are plenty of B&Bs along the route so touring with a campervan or tent aren't the only options. To find out more about the route head over to the <a href="https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/tours/driving-road-trips/north-coast-500/">VisitScotland </a>site. </div>
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If you want your own North Coast 500 adventure you can follow <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1xOuEc-gw_6EVhmlIWHveaDzj658&ll=55.24888731533324%2C-3.8714449999999943&z=6">our itinerary here</a>.</div>
Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-29220969343418072472018-03-09T09:44:00.000+00:002018-03-16T16:41:43.497+00:00Creating a good foundation with UK Lingerie <div style="text-align: justify;">
I must admit that my underwear drawer is in a sorry state at the moment. I was so busy with the wedding last year and it's been a busy year in work so far, underwear shopping is really low on my to-do list. I know you are supposed to hand wash and air dry underwear but I'm too busy (watching Netflix) to do this and chuck it all in the washing machine which is not good for the elastic. </div>
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<a href="https://www.uklingerie.com/">UK Lingerie</a> came to rescue me from greying, saggy underwear and sent a couple of classic items to try out. What really holds the key to a well polished outfit is what you wear underneath and the items I was sent really do help me create a sophisticated silhouette. </div>
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So many of my bras are now out of shape with bands that aren't firm enough to hold me in place. Wearing the Sculptress bra was like a breath of fresh air. The Panache Sculptress range is created with the fuller bust in mind and all items are for a D cup or above. This focus on a fuller cup means they are designed perfectly with wide straps that don't dig in and multiple panels to create a lift and separation which you don't find in budget bras. </div>
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This particular design has full coverage and support, but as the upper half is sheer with a pretty polka dot design it feels feminine and delicate despite being a piece of heavy engineering designed to keep you in place. It's both comfortable and supportive and gives my back a much needed break as being top heavy means I often suffer with back ache.</div>
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I highly recommend the Sculptresse by Panache Candi Full Cup Bra. This underwired full cup bra offers a great shape and design. I would consider sizing up as the band is quite tight but other than that I can't really find a fault. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I must admit that in the past I've not been a fan of shapewear. It can be uncomfortable, stuffy and makes it so difficult to go to the toilet. I'm also not too keen on trying to cover up perceived faults or 'problem areas' but I do like a smooth line under my clothes and vpl is a big no-no for me. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The High Power Panties by <a href="https://www.uklingerie.com/blog/spanx-solving-guide/">Spanx</a> are nothing like previous shapewear I've owned and are light, comfortable and breathable enough to wear all day as regular underwear. They are even easy to get off and on, no more wrestling with your undies in the toilet cubicle or trying to figure out how to wee through the hole. (The things we go through, ey?)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The waistband sits directly under your bra and the panties are long enough for my 5ft6 frame and would stretch further. The non slip band inside is genius and means they don't roll down and get tangled in my tights. Hurrah! The high waistband also means there's no fat trying to escape over the top and the material feels more like tights than traditional Spanx so you stay nice and cool throughout the day.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I feel like a underwear drawer spring clean is well overdue, so long to greying underwear and hello to a few more pairs of high power panties!</span></span><br />
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</span>Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-47508452231579018392018-02-16T08:00:00.000+00:002020-10-09T21:12:08.212+01:00Celtic Manor Resort - The Mulberry Bar review <div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">The </span><span style="background-color: white;">Celtic Manor is a five star luxury travel destination which is just a short drive from my house. Obama stayed there during the NATO summit hosted in the UK a few years ago (super fancy) and I have visited the resort previously for an </span><a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2014/11/mycelticxmas-festive-afternoon-tea-at.html" style="text-decoration: none;">afternoon tea</a><span style="background-color: white;"> and a <a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2017/10/celtic-manor-resort-champagne-beauty.html">spa treatment.</a> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Last Thursday I was lucky enough to attend the launch of</span> The Mulberry Bar which is the latest addition to the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales. The Celtic Manor hope the new bar will be an exclusive stop off for a pre-dinner cocktail, the perfect spot for an evening hideaway, or the ideal excuse for a glass of champagne for those staying at the resort. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The bar is hidden away from the main atrium of the hotel and has a plush décor, subtle lighting and comfy corners to settle into and enjoy a tipple or two. When we arrived my friend and I were greeted by friendly and knowledgable staff who proceeded to explain the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">variety of drinks on offer from Champagne and gin to creative cocktails, made the bar's mixology experts. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The drinks we enjoyed were not your high street pre-mixed affair, these cocktails all had an element of performance and drama. </span></div>
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The first drink we tried was the house special - a Mulberry Spritz. The drink contained vodka infused mulberries, mulberry jam, Blackberry Pimm’s, a hint of elderflower and wine which was added to the mix by being poured through the ice cuvée. This was delicious and light and I could easily have had three. </div>
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I loved the spritz but the champagne cocktail, the Candy Floss Royal was equally as tasty. It came served with a fluffy cloud of pink candy floss in a martini glass, which melts when you pour over the dessert wine and champagne mix revealing strawberries underneath. I was worried this drink would be too sweet but it was just right. </div>
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One drink I would love to return to try is the Tom Collins which comes served with laughing gas!</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was really impressed with the extensive list of spirits available at the bar including Welsh and Japanese whiskey but as a gin lover the sight of the well stocked gin cart made me very excited indeed. They had a selection of gins from all over the world which included my all time favourite Rock Rose gin from the Scottish highlands. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The staff took the time to explain all the different gins to us and were able to recommend the perfect gin and tonic combinations based on our tastes and I tried the really unique <span style="text-align: center;">Gabriel Boudier Saffron Gin. This French </span>gin is handcrafted in small batches only being made from the finest botanicals including saffron, one of the most expensive botanicals on the planet. The amber colour of the gin was really eye catching and the main taste was still juniper and I'm glad the saffron was a more subtle taste and scent and wasn't too overbearing. This would be perfect paired with a classic Indian tonic water and orange peel. </span></div>
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I really enjoyed my evening at the new <a href="http://www.celtic-manor.com/the-mulberry-bar">Mulberry Bar</a> and would definitely return for a special occasion. A visit wouldn't be a regular occurrence as these cocktails are certainly not 2 for £10 but I wouldn't mind splashing out and treating myself to delicious drinks, in relaxed surroundings all whilst being accompanied by a pianist that formerly performed at the Dorchester.<br />
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<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">*Our drinks were complimentary in return for an honest review. All words and thought are my own. </span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 10537px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 10537px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-6785214707787373102018-02-04T21:25:00.002+00:002020-10-09T21:11:50.187+01:00Our Cardiff Wedding - The Reception<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4522/38551427751_46e87da434_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="picture of a three tier wedding cake, white with one gold glitter layer and pink ribbon" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4522/38551427751_46e87da434_h.jpg" title="wedding cake" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I had originally wanted an outdoorsy, forest or seaside wedding but anything coastal seemed to come at a premium and getting all my friends and family to a rural location would have been a logistical nightmare. Options closer to home seemed to consist of barns or conference rooms in hotels and neither of those really appealed to me. I started to be come frustrated with the process of finding venues but when I discovered you could have a Sunday ceremony in the National Museum Cardiff my mind focussed on a city wedding with a laid back feel. (Notice there are a lot of I's there? Martyn is extremely relaxed and let me get on with planning but looked after the transport and liaising with some of the vendors)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We were so lucky to find Chapel 1877 for our wedding reception venue. It is a converted former chapel which is now a restaurant and bar in the heart of Cardiff. It was an ideal location as it was only 5 minutes away from our ceremony venue and close to hotels for guests that were staying in the city after the reception. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nothing was too much trouble for the staff at Chapel 1877. The team did flowers for the tables, place settings and decorated everything for us. They added extra vegan and vegetarian options to the menu and offered a great value package as we got married outside the peak wedding season and on a Sunday. </span></div>
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<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4561/37663543635_61a1672935_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="a picture of a cheese tower dressed with figs and grapes" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4561/37663543635_61a1672935_h.jpg" title="cheese wedding cake" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was originally going to bake my own cake but decided against it as I didn’t want any last minute stress. I went a little mad and opted for a glittery extravaganza with layers of salted caramel, lemon drizzle and chocolate marble. I also had a cheese tower cake featuring lots of cheeses from Wales and the south West. I also had a selection of vegan cupcakes and doughnuts. So much for a home baked naked sponge... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I hit a wedding decoration jackpot in TK Maxx. I found a huge selection of decorations from brands like Ginger Ray in my colour scheme and bought the lot including paper fans and table confetti. As the venue was so ornate I kept decorations simple which meant no last minute DIY decoration stress. I was going to attempt to make my own seating plan but my handwriting is a messy scrawl and I'm not particularly crafty so Lumi event designs were called in at the last minute to create a modern acrylic seating plan which I thought complimented the surroundings. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After an emotional wedding ceremony, panic about the traffic and a drawn out build up to a 5pm ceremony I had a bit of a crash at the reception. Martyn and I had our meal in a booth on our own and I really valued this time together. I felt incredibly drained and tired during the meal and like I was being pulled in all directions with my mad nan trying to take photos of me once we headed to the bar area after the meal. A quick five minutes alone outside to cool down, have an espresso martini and compose myself made the world of difference and I was able to relax and get into the party mood. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: start;">Our first dance was to The Ramones</span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: start;">- Baby, I love you, which we listened to on our long drives to Austria for our holidays and reminded us of our trip to The Ramones museum during our trip to Berlin.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">By the time the meal was over, we had cut the cake and had our first dance it was nearly 9.30pm. The whole evening passed by in a flash and is a blur of espresso martinis, cake, a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCC1puOWa3k">GLC</a> singalong </span>and<span style="font-family: inherit;"> dancing. I feel truly lucky that Martyn and I were able to have such a perfect day with all of our favourite people. It's a bit of a cliche but the whole day went far too quickly, I barely had time to speak to all the guests and it was exhausting but thoroughly enjoyable.</span></span></div>
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<h3>
Suppliers</h3>
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Venue - <a href="https://chapel1877.com/">Chapel 1877</a> | Cake - <a href="http://thecakerycardiff.co.uk/">Cardiff Cakery</a> | Cheese - <a href="https://penylanpantry.com/deli/">Cheese Pantry</a></div>
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Table Plan - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LumiEvents/">Lumi Event Design</a> | Sweet jars - Home Bargains | Sweet bags - eBay</div>
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Vegan cupcakes & doughnuts - <a href="http://blanchebakery.com/">Blanche Bakery</a> | Magic Mirror and Love lights - <a href="https://www.idoophotobooths.co.uk/">iDoo </a></div>
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My other wedding posts</h3>
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<a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2018/01/our-cardiff-wedding-ceremony.html">The Ceremony</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2017/10/post-wedding-blues.html">Post-Wedding Blues</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/search/label/nc500">Honeymoon</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2017/11/5-things-i-learned-whilst-planning-my.html">5 Things I Learned Whilst Planning My Wedding </a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 9621px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 9621px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 9621px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 9621px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-59414358084141572862018-01-28T11:40:00.000+00:002018-01-28T21:41:07.805+00:00How to customise your jeans: distressed denim <div style="text-align: justify;">
Having a mix of <a href="https://www.quizclothing.co.uk/clothes/dresses/occasion-dresses/">dresses,</a> skirts and tops is perfect if you’re someone who likes variety and a fresh look every day. But what else can you do to keep your wardrobe looking current and on-trend?
Distressed denim is huge right now — and even better, it’s so easy to create yourself at home! Check out this simple style guide and make the perfect pair of on-point distressed jeans or even a denim jacket like I've done.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">Get your best pair of jeans prepared</span></b></div>
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Firstly, get together: </div>
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Jeans. </div>
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Scissors. </div>
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Sandpaper. </div>
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Chalk. </div>
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Piece of cardboard or a thick magazine. </div>
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Safety pin. </div>
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Tweezers. </div>
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Patches/material (optional). </div>
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Once you have these, check that your chosen jeans are clean and dry. Then, pull them on and use a full-length mirror to decide where you want to tear and cut. Pockets, knees and the bum are popular parts to modify, as they are the areas of the jeans that naturally wear and tear. Use chalk to mark out where you want to distress.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">Start tearing and ripping
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How you customise your jeans is up to you, but we advise that you don’t cut through the front and back — instead, only cut one side of your jeans. To do this, stuff the area you intend on cutting with a chunky magazine or thick piece of cardboard and aim to make a diamond-shape cuts of varying lengths. This will help ensure your tears are natural-looking.
Next, it’s time for fraying to get that true distressed quality. Along the edge of each cut, gently tease the horizontal white threads using a safety pin — be careful not to break them. Then, using tweezers, pluck out the vertical threads to leave just the white horizontal threads. Repeat this for each cut.
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<b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">Time to distress</span></b><br />
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At this point, your jeans should look pretty distressed, but you’re not finished yet. Now, it’s time for sandpaper. Rub a medium-sized piece of sandpaper across the denim to create a natural-looking colour fade and stop when you’ve reached the worn shade you like.
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>Add patches for the perfect finishing touch </b></span><br />
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Now, you can either step back and admire your distressing handiwork, or take it a step further by adding patches to your customised jeans. Bright floral motifs are in vogue and practically leap off distressed denim to give you an eye-catching contrast of grunge and chic. If you want a subtle embellishment, why not go with lace? This is a classic feminine fabric that will dress up your modern distressed denim with retro charm for the ideal smart-casual look.<br />
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I've added a touch of personality to my denim jacket with a selection of my favourite pins. I change these on a regular basis because I've got a huge collection of fun pins and badges that need their 15 minutes if fame. I get most of mine from Punky Pins, La La Land and etsy sellers like my Gilmore Girls one from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/494384181/gilmore-girls-pin-boom-enamel-pin-copper">Copper Boom Studio Shop.</a><br />
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And that’s it — DIY distressed denim. Rock these with an oversized sweatshirt or graphic tee, or create a casual-chic look with an off-the-shoulder boho blouse and pumps.<br />
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*Post created in collaboration with Quiz<br />
<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335585461822153232noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986815943847882415.post-49921919265779722882018-01-14T20:10:00.003+00:002018-01-14T20:18:20.558+00:00North Coast 500 honeymoon roadtrip - Sango Bay, Durness, Smoo Cave<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">I hope you're not bored of reading about my Scottish honeymoon because there are two posts left in the series and a lot of photos of blue skies and white sand beaches to share with you. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Drumbeg loop</span></h3>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">After setting off from </span><a href="http://www.fatfrocks.com/2017/12/north-coast-500-honeymoon-roadtrip.html" style="font-family: inherit;">Ullapool</a><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> early in the morning we headed to Durness via Clachtoll and Drumbeg. This was another </span>spectacular<span style="font-family: inherit;"> section of the North coast 500 route with amazing views but we actually found this section a bit hair </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;">raising. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">The 24-mile-long single track loop that follows the coast was narrow, twisting and steep but don't be put off because it is incredibly scenic. There's lots to see on the way to Durness including Stoer lighthouse and the Old Man of Stoer which is an impressive 60ft high sea stack. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">The drive was difficult with a lot of steep climbs and poor visibility all on narrow, single track roads. I did feel for Martyn who did all the driving on the trip as this section was gruelling, I held onto the seat and our dog Coco for the duration of the journey, lots of pit stops and beach walks broke up the journey and allowed us to enjoy this section.</span></div>
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Clachtoll Beach is a popular beach close to a campsite (and a free car park and toilets) with some rugged terrain. The water was turquoise and the sand so white and clean. We were the only people on the beach in the middle of the day and enjoyed stunning mountain views for miles around before it started to rain so we headed back to the camper van for a cup of tea and lunch before hitting the road again. </div>
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We stopped off at a few beautiful beaches on the way to let Coco stretch his legs and get some exercise. He loved digging up sand and running away from the cold water as the waves came in. We met a lovely lady on the beach who told us all about the local Viking history, the Gaelic school system in the area and the affects that the NC500 fame is having on the area. Whilst many people in the area encourage tourism and enjoy the benefits I get the feeling things are getting a little tense Some tourists are not being respectful of the landscape, don't allow locals to pass at passing points on the single track roads and are becoming a nuisance. The infrastructure hasn't quite caught up with the demand and people are not deviating from the North Coast 500 route and exploring other areas meaning that not all businesses are benefiting from the current surge in popularity that this route is experiencing. </div>
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*Preaching time* If you're thinking of visiting the north of Scotland please make sure you support local businesses and don't just stock up in the the major towns and big supermarkets, read this <a href="http://www.visitinvernesslochness.com/blog/single-track-roads.aspx">driving guide</a> and leave the land as you found it so others can experience unspoilt landscapes. </div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The village of Drumbeg lies on the north coast of Assynt, looking out across Eddrachillis Bay to Handa Island and the mountains of Sutherland. There is a viewpoint with a car park where you can admire the magnificent seascapes.</span><br />
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Sango Bay & Smoo Cave</h3>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></span>After a stressful drive we arrived in the perfectly located <a href="https://sangosands.com/">Sango Sands Oasis</a> campsite. <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sango Sands is a peaceful, ten-acre site overlooking the beautiful Blue Flag Sango Bay beach. The site has basic facilities much like most in the north of Scotland but has everything you need including an on site bar/restaurant, electric hook ups and laundry facilities. It was around £9 per person plus £4 for hook up. Very reasonable in comparison to sites in Loch Lomond which were £35+ a night plus extra for dogs. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #161616;">Sango Bay offers panoramic views of the North Minch </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">- <span style="background-color: white;">the channel between the mainland and the Hebrides. </span></span><span style="color: #161616;">With golden sands and dramatic rock formations Sango Sands is breathtaking. The spot we parked up in at the campsite had views over the bay and I would never get bored of waking up to this. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A short distance to the east of the Sango Bay is the famous Smoo Cave. The largest cave in Scotland, it was formed by both the sea and a river. The cave can be explored on foot or by boat in peak season. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="text-align: justify;">The cave boasts a 50ft high opening and is floodlit inside to reveal its depths. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;">The cave name is thought to originate from the Norse 'smjugg' or 'smuga' meaning a hole or hiding-place. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The caves are said to be haunted and legends and myths say that the devil once hid in these caves. You can read more about the interesting and <a href="http://fionalang.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/smoo-cave-gateway-to-otherworld.html">dark history of the caves here</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">That's it for the North coast of Scotland. We headed to Thurso the next day and drove along the beautiful east coast to Inverness and then across to the West coast because we are a bit mad and thought a full day of driving would be a good idea. The scenery changed completely, much less dramatic, rural and remote and it became flatter, more populated but still full of interest in the form of castles and distilleries. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My final post about our honeymoon road trip will feature a stunning castle and an marvel of industrial engineering. Pop back next week to read more!</span></span></div>
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