Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Sunday, June 17, 2012

A Weekend Smile

Moving yet again... I'd rather be where giraffes swim in your pool....
Via http://imgur.com






























































































































Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Surfing Smiles

Sons #1 and # 3 are here in Phuket enjoying some surfing. Thes pictures from the Globe and Mail 
made me smile! Not sure any of our dog pack would be up to this.....































Saturday, June 9, 2012

London Calling.....





Off to London soon to help Darling daughter #1 with a house reno. She has been busy of late.
A clip from her latest directing project at a fun little boutique hotel  (all rooms have four poster beds) at Tower Bridge in London, Hotel Indigo.

A review from Frost magazine and comments from a guest post on trip advisor. Looked like fun.

Hotel Unveils New Interactive Theatre Experience | Things To Do

Summer has finally hit London and if you are looking for something to do in London then the Hotel Undigo might have something for you.
Guests can be part of ‘The Hit’ immersive theatre at Hotel Indigo London Tower Hill
Hotel Indigo London Tower Hill is offering visitors the chance to become part of ‘The Hit’; an interactivetheatre experience inspired by the hotel’s location in the heart of London’s financial district.
Available exclusively for three nights from 25 – 27 May, the audience will be swept up in the story as the drama unfolds with an escapade centred on the hotel’s historic past as a prestigious bank.
The action will take place throughout various areas of the hotel where guests will be immersed in an incredible live performance. Guests will become part of the drama as it unfolds around the story of an historic heist, greed, deception and a lover’s tale.
Characters will entice the audience through the art of emotional storytelling as they subtly reveal details of the hotel’s past. The 50 minute performances will be available to guests and members of the public via www.facebook.com/hotelindigoeurope.
Alex Apostolakos, General Manager of Hotel Indigo London Tower Hill said, “Our interactive theatre experience brings to life Hotel Indigo London Tower Hill’s location and financial past in a really inspiring way. Guests are going to have a story to tell long after they’ve left the hotel and our original bank vault provides the perfect setting for the dramatic ending to our story ‘The Hit’.”
Mike Greenup vice president marketing Europe, IHG, said, “Every Hotel Indigo draws inspiration from its local area to give guests an individual experience. The immersive theatre performances are a great way to bring to life Hotel Indigo London Tower Hill’s local story. Last month saw the new Hotel Indigo Edinburgh open in Scotland and we plan to open a total of 11 new hotels in Europe in the next three to five years.
Hotel Indigo London Tower Hill is situated in the heart of London’s historic Square Mile with the city’s financial district on its doorstep. Many of the capital’s banks are located nearby, with the Thames just a short walk away along with St Paul’s Cathedral and the iconic Gherkin building.
Hotel Indigo offers guests the best of both worlds; with all the charm of a boutique hotel coupled with the trust of a bigger brand.



5 of 5 starsReviewed 7 June 2012 NEW
This was a shock but the hotel had organised this. After going to our room on the 6th floor we were called to say we were to be upgraded. Believed this was because I was a gold card member but later found out its because the room next door was being used by the gang.
The Indigo hotels are trying to position themseves differently from other sin the IC group. The hotel had arranged for a theatre group to act out a production which required interaction by the audiance. The production was mainly in the downstar bar which was actually in the vaults of the bullion company that originally was on this site but also involved moving to other parts of the hotel. The fial scence involved an armed gang entering the 'vaults'. The actors were very professional and the production was extremely enjoyable.What a start to our holiday in London. We stayed on a Friday and Saturday night before staying at a flat in London.
The hotel is in an excellent location, 5 minute walk from Aldgate tube station and 15 minutes stroll to Tower of London. This is on the edge of 'Jack the Ripper land'. Very busy in the week but quite at weekends.
The hotel is well staffed and the rooms to modern very high standard design. Staff are very friendly to the extent of one member of staff saying hello to us when we were in the Covent Garden area later that week.
This hotel is certainly different.. This was not a stay but an experience..






Friday, June 8, 2012

Friday Fun

Something that makes me smile!

To read more head to darling daughter #3's blog
http://mdashing.blogspot.com

One of the main decisions first - shoe choices.....a woman's addiction....

Something blue?







































something neutral like the antique lace on the dress?




























































No...something pink like spring! ( It's great being the third girl so much choice!)





















































































Wednesday, June 6, 2012

As the Sunsets at Ahilya Fort

There is a woman rumoured to have been the Prince's old nanny who creates a magical world!

































































































Tuesday, June 5, 2012

and then...... to Dine at Ahilya Fort

Here is where the host at Ayhila Fort, Prince Richard Holker out does himself, showing me at this late age and stage the true meaning of 'perfumed food'. Among many things he is a very accomplished chef and cookbook author, and the food at Ayhila Fort is simply outstanding. Note I don't have a picture of one dish...somehow it was devoured before I managed to get a shot....next time!

From the site of oneworlddiscoveries.com
The delicious food is mostly organic from the fort garden. Dining is a movable feast, either outside under the grand Neem trees or in the Chamber of winds, overlooking the Narmada river. The reputed chef and gourmet; author of a book of recipes from the Maharajah's palaces, personally oversees the kitchen. The tea served is from an exclusive tea garden in Darjeeling; coffee from Coorg is specially roasted for Ahilya Fort's guests. Breakfast buffet is served in the ramparts of the fort, which command a spectacular view over the kilometre-wide Narmada river-a view unchanged from that which Ahilya herself looked out over, more than two hundred years ago. Lunch is served in a cool covered courtyard, often with hot soup followed by pasta or light vegetarian food from Central India.
Also served, tea on the boat, as the sunsets, leads into the magical evenings of Maheshwar and also served cocktails on the ramparts overlooking the river, makes it all very spectacular under the star studded no pollution sky. With dinner being served in the garden, and can be lightly spiced Indian cuisine, or a more substantial royal "thali" dinner, with recipes from The Cooking of the Maharajahs, written by your host. Guests are encouraged to arrange the menu to suit their tastes.







































































































Monday, June 4, 2012

A Nod to the Flotilla from Ahilya Fort

In the spirit of yesterday's Thames celebrations for the Queen's Jubilee.
When staying at Ahilya Fort the treat of champagne sipping on the Sacred river Narmada  at sunset where a shrine built mid-river is revered as the centre of the universe.