Tag: travel

TRAVEL | Warwick Castle…

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I ended the year doing something I absolutely love. On an adventure exploring a place I had not visited before.

Warwick Castle.

I Love Castles.

I love Exploring.

#Perfect.

Here is the official line:

Warwick Castle is a medieval castle developed from a wooden fort, originally built by William the Conqueror in 1068. Warwick is the county town of Warwickshire, England, situated on a bend of the River Avon. The original wooden motte-and-bailey castle was rebuilt in stone in the 12th century. During the Hundred Years War, the facade opposite the town was refortified, resulting in one of the most recognisable examples of 14th-century military architecture. It was used as a stronghold until the early 17th century, when it was granted to Sir Fulke Greville by James I in 1604. Greville converted it to a country house and it was owned by the Greville family, who became Earls of Warwick in 1759, until 1978 when it was bought by the Tussauds Group.

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LIFE | Charlestown and goodbyes …

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I love Cornwall…

I , along with my Dad, Boyfriend and Mollie our dog , visited last September for the first time in a long, long time.

Our base was a beautiful house that belonged to ones of Dads friends in Carbis Bay. The views were amazing and on a good day you’d be forgiven for thinking you where in the Caribbean. Glorious.

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As we had access to a car we took advantage and travelled around the area.

Amongst other places we visited Charlestown which was one of Mums favourite places in Cornwall. She and Dad spent quite a few holidays there. By themselves, with Nan and Grandad, with Dads brother and his family, who live down there.

It is situated on the outskirts of St. Austell on the south coast of Cornwall. It’s an unspoilt, purpose-built harbour. It’s been used as a film location for recent credits such as Tom Hardy’s Taboo and Poldark.

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It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in Cornwall.

Pretty pastel houses line and look down onto the harbour. There are various pubs and cafes to sit , rest your legs and take it all in… maybe indulge in a cheeky Cornish cream tea. There’s also a little pebble beach that DID let dogs on. [I say did, as a lot can change in a year.] The majority of beaches in Cornwall don’t allow them on so it was a welcome sight, especially for our giddy dog Mollie who adores beaches and swimming in the sea. I swear she was a fish in a former life.

Charlestown is a beautiful spot and it will always hold a special place in my heart as it’s where we said our final good byes to Mum.

My Boyfriend and I climbed the steep hill that looked out across the sea. We stood there for a moment to compose ourselves. We each said a few words then we threw her ashes into the wind.

With tears in our eyes we let her go.

We set her spirit free …

I hope you’ve travelled far mum; to the moon and back .

I miss you terribly but I hope you are finally at peace 💗

Tracey x

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Further reading about our trip to Cornwall // HERE

A Sheffield Girls Guide to Malaga – Part One

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As your aware , or maybe your not – I shouldn’t make such assumptions – I’ve just returned from a fabulous long weekend in Malaga with 4 of my best friends. We try and have a few days away every year .. and apart from the ‘wedding and baby years’ we’ve managed to achieve this!

We have experienced an amazing few days which flew by far too quickly. I’m missing those ladies already. I don’t think I’ve laughed so much in ages and it’s just what I needed ! Roll on next year.

There’s so much to tell you I thought I’d split the blog into a few posts starting with accommodation . Lots of you messaged me for details after seeing my posts over on Instagram stories … so here goes.

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Dolly Day dreamer’s bucket list …

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My name should be Dolly … ‘Dolly Daydreamer’ ; because that’s what I spend an awful lot of my time doing.

Day dreaming.

Why be in the real world when the one going off in your head is so much more exciting?

At 47 I still find I immerse myself in American teen dramas. You know the type ‘Pretty Little Liars’ , ‘Riverdale’ … Perfect girls with perfect wardrobes, hair that falls perfectly into place. They date the hottest guys and are perfect grade A students.

That’s a whole lot of fecking perfect isn’t it!?

I’m not sure about you but my reality throughout high-school went more along these lines – uncontrollable perm , ‘individual’ wardrobe . Referred to as ‘goofy’ or ‘lanky bird’ more often than my actual name. Socially arkward. I blushed like a beetroot at everything and nothing.

I didn’t date the hot guys … I didn’t date any-chuffing- one!

So I like to venture elsewhere. I figure it’s just nice to escape every now and again . Even if its into my own imagination. Its free and you can do it anywhere …[ I find trains good ] which randomly got me thinking about bucket lists. [like you do … are you even still with me?]

The official meaning of which goes …

‘a number of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime.’

I suppose these are a list of dreams; but potentially attainable ones [ish]

So here’s my list … in no particular order and just like me its very random.

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Travel | Lanzarote Holidays …

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It’s on days like today when [ I’m a little hungover] it’s cold and dark outside, I’ve got my candles lit and I’m snacking on mince pies. When I have a Christmas movie playing on repeat and I’m making present lists that my mind starts drifting towards holidays.

Planning and reminiscing.

Reminiscing and planning…

Thoughts of visiting and exploring far off places with the sun beating down on my back , sand between my toes and a cocktail to hand spring to mind. They excite and lift my spirits.

One place basking in glorious sunshine all year round and a place I’ve visited on a couple of occasions in the past is the wonderful island of Lanzarote.

Making up part of the Canary Islands, it is often said to resemble the surface of the moon [ not that I’ve even been to the moon! ] thanks to the fact it was once an active volcanic island. It is extremely scenic in places with beautiful views in each and every direction; a photographers dream.

Now I have to hold my hands up and admit that although it is breathtaking ; on my very first visit I was slightly unimpressed by the journey from the airport to our hotel . All I can say is please don’t be disheartened the resorts are beautiful !

Lanzarote holds such fond memories. I’ve just been looking through my photos and stumbled across some proper corkers.

Take this for one.

Meet Kevin !! Boy did we laugh …he goes on a lot of girls holidays with us. [ though it’s not always the same Kevin, we tend to puncture him a lot!]

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Winter Sun Fun…

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This year for all sorts of reasons , but mainly because non of us can face it without mum. We are going to leave on a jet plane and spend Christmas abroad somewhere hot.

Mum was our Christmas .

She was ‘Mrs Christmas’.

She adored it. She always had the best, most tastefully dressed tree [always red  and gold ], ensured the house was lit up like Blackpool, and her giddiness was infectious. Family was everything to mum and she ensured we always had the best time.

I tend to get my own way and have spent every single Christmas Day at Mum and Dads, bar one when I went to my ex-husbands house for Christmas lunch. I hated every single minute of it. Not because they did anything wrong, it just wasn’t the same without my mum around.

I’m positively dreading this year , the first year without her.

It’ll never be easy but I’m kinda guessing this year will be tough for us all. Firsts always are.

We [ dad, BF & brother] made a collective decision that this year we would take ourselves out of our usual surroundings and do something we’ve never done before. Hence a week abroad is on the cards. It’s new, there are no memories of mum there. [though I’m sure we will all be thinking about her.] It will still be absolutely gut wrenching her not being there with us …

I love Christmas but quite frankly this year I could take it or leave it.

So while I’d normally start looking for a warm, snug yet stylish outfit with an elasticated expanding waistband;  this year that will be substituted for a new bikini, sandals and a good false tan.  Continue reading →

Marbella Diary Day 1 – the villa and first night out.

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Hola,

Somebody once said that “the best therapy is time spent laughing with great friends” I’ve just had 4 days ‘therapy’ and it’s done me the world of good.

By golly have we laughed…

and then some.

We’ve partied (a lot) and for want of a better word I’m back home and I’m bloody knackered. Rolling in at 6 in the morning was bad enough in my twenties,  at 45 it’s a killer but worth the tired, fuzzy head.

As my mum often says …”your a long time dead. Why sleep when you can dance?”

Why not indeed mum….

So what was the occasion?

We flew out to Spain  to join Leigh in celebrating her 50th . This was actually back in May (little details – long story)

We booked a plush villa in the hills above Marbella for the weekend so we could all be together.

Let me introduce you to our home for 4 luxurious days … Continue reading →

Viva La Valencia Photo Diary Day 1 – A Sheffield Girls Guide

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Last week I spent a greatly anticipated long weekend in Valencia. 

I joined 8 of my best friends –  who all travelled from Sheffield to met up with Leigh and Nicola, who are also from England but now reside in Spain.

I’ve been to Valencia once before, its a bloody fabulous place. It’s the third largest city in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona and it’s situated on the banks of the Turia. It’s also the place were the traditonal dish paella was concocted. You may thank me when that comes up in the local pub quiz!

Old meets new with beautiful architecture on every corner. It has a romantic feel to it. Little alleyways leading to hidden squares and more churches than you could throw your stick at.

It’s where I would choose to live if fate hadn’t plonked me in my beloved Sheffield. Valencia or St Tropez, I’m not fussy.

It’s the only holiday I was getting this year, so I intended to make the most of it. After-all 3 days is better than nothing.

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