At the Maddox gallery in Notting Hill is a stunning exhibition by a young Spanish artist, Coco Davez,  aka Valeria Palmiero. The paintings are of faceless, but very recognizable “brands” such as Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, Princess Diana and many others. The idea of bringing together art and the notion…

It’s 7am and from my lovely apartment in Nottingham I look out on a landscape waking up to gentle sunshine. It’s going to be another glorious sunny day. I overlook a sea of new buildings and cranes scratching to take their place in the sky. It’s a struggle to house…

It’s 4.45am here in London and it’s dawn. The birds are practicing the Hallelujah chorus and there’s a distant hum of London traffic. I arrived yesterday and even in my jet-lagged state managed to walk 18 kilometres – not sure what that is in miles….10, 000 steps a day? Hah!…

We’ve been following Chris O’Connor and his family as they extend an 1860’s cottage and build another house for his parents on the same block. In the previous two articles Chris describes his decision to have a ” gap year” in later life and move to Victoria to pursue his…

When Notre Dame burned there was disbelief and a collective grief expressed from many corners of the world.  We know the images of iconic buildings as if we have been there. And if we have travelled there the experience of identity with that building is profound. Notre Dame was/is iconic…

Last week we enjoyed the story of Chris O’Connor’s “Gap Year” and the life change that followed. Moving from New South Wales to Chatsworth Lodge, a Victorian heritage listed cottage with grand plans to restore the beautiful old home, sympathetically add to it and build a new cottage on the…

A recurring theme in the stories of our generation is the search for a new way of life. Recently, we read about  Inge Hatton’s inspirational journey from Montreal in Canada, finding a Buddhist path in Colorado which led her to establish a new way of life in Nova Scotia. The…

Our Tuscan food and wine tour draws to a close with these last 2 diary entries from our inspiring writer and friend, Maureen Moffatt. What an adventure its been! I’m reminded of a quote by Robin Leach, ” In Italy, they add work and life on to food and wine.”…

 Only two more days to go of our tasting experience of Tuscany. We all know that feeling when our travels are coming to an end. Each moment seems more precious and each taste, sound and view more intense and special. Continue travelling with our dear friend, Maureen Moffatt who so…