On Safari

Friends with benefits... I feel very lucky indeed... not only do I have fabulous friends, I have fabulous friends with an amazing lodge in South Africa!  Bingo, 5star safari with the best guides...

After a week in Cape Town watching the test match, myself, RP and the boys flew to Durban and then on to Kwazulu-natal and onto The Phinda Game Reserve.

This was no ordinary safari, we saw The Big Five within hours of arriving and then every drive delivered something sensational, ranging from the roar of the king of the jungle to tree climbing lions (lions generally don't climb!). We were treated to remarkable hospitality, breakfast in the bush, bush trekking and champagne fuelled night drives.

So much luxury!  I urge you to visit this South Africa for a truly magnificent lifetime experience... also pound against the rand keeps it affordable!

Check out. And beyond.

Our vehicles

The wonderful elephant, probably the most dangerous and unpredictable animal

Giraffes a plenty

My favourite, the king

The young inquisitive leopard

Mother and baby Rhino

Climbing lions

Breakfast in the bush, followed by a relax by the pool.......bliss

Perfect Foodie Haunt

The Providores & Tapa Room, Marylebone high street, the home of the most exciting and innovative fusion food in the UK

I just wanted to quickly share this restaurant with you, if you haven't been you simply must go, it's food and drink heaven!  My son, Jack and I nipped in last week for a quick nibble at lunchtime.  We sat at the 'high' table in the middle of the small intimate dining area.  Nothing was too much trouble, the staff are attentive and charming, I even got a taster of the 'Christmas cocktail, because the barman saw me drooling as he was shaking!!

Grilled sardines on  roast tomato bruschetta

Purple sprouting broccoli, Moromi miso and sesame dressing, crispy shallots

Seared yellowfin tuna, jicama, cucumber, spring onion, toasted nori and yuzu chilli dressing

Menu

Treacle cured bacon ice cream, olive meringues, banana salted caramel and yogurt maple cream (really weird but an absolute must!)

I rest my case your honour ... Leave me a table!

Dressing up for Christmas

I'm off to a big concert event that my husbands company puts on each year, I'm told it's an informal Christmassy evening, oh no... what do I wear to that! Well this is my idea of easy concert dressing! You can't go wrong with black legging/jeans by Rag and Bone and a statement sequin cami from good old Topshop!  (And of course, my fav Raf trainers!) 

Next we're off to our friends fantastic Christmas Party at their gorgeous home in Belgravia, I've got this dress from Saloni, it's new in and I bought it to have for my holiday but I think it works brilliantly well as a coat over my Zara velvet slip dress.... Lucy Choi glitter shoes, always a winner during the festive season, also super comfy!!

Or... try the Zara slip dress with a cardi and heels for a Christmas supper.

Finally, Christmas eve without sequins just isn't festive!  Try this cheeky sequin pencil skirt by Malene Birger... my Christmas treat!

Have a sparkly Christmas!

My Top Christmas Gifts

This year I have been been very organised and got most of my presents early, here's my selection of the top gifts I found. Spoiler alert: friends and family look away now...


Simply Nigella by Nigella Lawson £10.19, Honey & Co by Itamar Srulovich & Sarit Packer £12.00
In my view Nigella still rocks! and Honey & Co is the best for middle eastern cuisine, bang on trend!


Broste, Concertina vase £14.95
Lovely scandi vases, guaranteed to spruce up a table or mantle piece.


Dalesford, Good Health Gift Set £39
As we all want to be clean and healthy after Christmas I thought this was a fab idea for one of my super-fit friends.


Hot Chocolate Cups £16
Hot chocolate cups, need I say more... we all love a good mug!


The Holiday Kit (for men), Anthony £25
Perfect for those jet-setting chaps... this might encourage my husband to go away for a few days!


Minecraft, Stop-motion movie creator £29.99
I love finding interesting and fun, interactive toys. I'm hoping this will keep the young amused on Christmas Day and beyond.


Robo Turtle £7.99
Nice little bath companion for Boxing Day!

Smartwatch £34.99

Is this the Apple Watch for kids? Well at £34.99 it will do!

Sock Monkey Popper £7.99
A pressie for the stockings!

Foraging in Dalesford

As a treat for my lovely friend Sarah I thought we'd give foraging a go at Daylesford!

Both of us love rummaging around in the undergrowth, er, that sounds a bit weird but I think you know what I mean.  Anyway, it was a day at Daylesford in Gloucestershire foraging and cooking wild game and fabulous homegrown produce!  I love cooking and I urge all like minded try hard cooks to get away from the normal rat race cooking track and give this a go, it was a fabulous day!

Eeek,  a Muntjac deer... ready for our venison carpaccio!  This is not for the squeamish as the lovely Tom, forager extraordinaire, skinned and filleted our lunch!

The best herb and spice collection ever!

Sarah and I, felt a bit like getting ready for Masterchef!!

Celeriac soup, simply delicious and SO easy... I'd substitute the milk for stock, less rich.

Venison carpaccio with shredded fennel and juniper berries with a light mustard and honey dressing.

We plucked the pheasant then jointed it and cooked this delicious stew and washed it all down with some delicious Daylesford wines from their vineyard in France.

Before we returned home we dropped in to their pub, The Wild Rabbit for a swift nightcap then back home!