TRAVEL DIARY:BRISTOL Arrived in Bristol at night from the Cotswolds. Our first stop was dinner at the famous Pieminister. Nestled within Bristol’s city centre, Pieminister has been a beloved family venture since 2003. There were so many choices and so tasty Through the darkness of the night, we could still see the colour and vibrancy…
Tag: Travels
Bristol Drive-by shots of Double Doors
BRISTOL, UK As we strolled towards the streets adorned with vibrant street art (that’s what Bristol is known for), we couldn’t help but be captivated by the charming Bristol traditional terraced houses*. Each one boasted colourful double doors that added a unique touch to their character. *Thanks Sarah for letting me know that these are…
Connecting Bridges
This week, Donna from Wind Kisses hosts the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge with the topic of CONNECTIONS. Bridges connect more than just two pieces of land- they link communities, cultures, and histories, fostering unity and progress. However, this week, I’m focusing on their literal role as a form of connection from point A to point B. The Pont…
Somebody by the Window saw me
Here are more captivating windows from the Cotswolds. What’s amusing is that precisely when I snapped the picture, a lady by the window seemed to be peering back at me haha Quite the unexpected moment! Some more on the main street of Castle Combe.
Camden Town
TRAVEL DIARY: CAMDEN TOWN During the first leg of our holiday in Paris, Barcelona, and Portugal in October of 2023, we weren’t able to indulge in much shopping at the markets. Our luggage was already filled to the brim, leaving little room to bring back souvenirs or treasures from our travels. So first thing we…
Cotswolds – Castle Combe
TRAVEL DIARY: COTSWOLDS After our European holiday last October 2023, Jack, Tim, and I embarked on a six-day road trip to visit my cousin in Edinburgh. With my son’s commitments sandwiching our travel dates, we had to keep it brief, but having Tim behind the wheel amidst such stunning scenery made it all worthwhile. En…
Our last day in Porto
TRAVEL DIARY: PORTO 6 Before leaving our Airbnb, I suggested to my husband that we visit this church I’d seen on Instagram known for its stunning azulejos. Luckily, it was close to where we were staying. The Capela das Almas, an 18th-century chapel on Rua Santa Catarina, boasts a striking blue façade adorned with over…
Florals
“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food, and medicine for the soul.” – Luther Burbank This week, Sofia hosts the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge with the topic of FLORAL. I am linking this also to Xingfumama’s Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge and to Cee’s FOTD challenge. Hope you get well soon Cee. Flowers,…
Day Trip to Aveiro
and to Costa Nova do Prado TRAVEL DIARY: AVEIRO & PRAIA DE COSTA NOVA Though the days were totally wet, we couldn’t pass up the chance to explore beyond Porto, so we opted for a day trip to Aveiro. The train journey from Sao Bento to Aveiro, lasting about an hour and twenty minutes, was…
Electricity Boxes Reimagined
You’ve probably seen one and stopped and maybe even smiled because it is hard to miss a large, cheerfully painted metal electricity box on the streets. I know, because there are also some here in Melbourne and is becoming a trend in many modern cities around the world. Last week, I showcased doors from Rua…
Misty Adventures in Porto
TRAVEL DIARY: PORTO 5 We took the Hop-On Hop-Off bus for the second day and our first stop was the Porto Cathedral. Perched on a hill overlooking the Duoro, Se do Porto is the most important cathedral and religious building in this city. Construction began in the 12th century and is mainly Baroque architecture but…
A Chef by the Window – 3
Still in Porto … I was walking down below and saw this window on the second level. I thought, this is so cute. I am linking this to Ludwig’s Monday Window Challenge
Indoor seating
Walking back to the hotel in Liverpool, I saw this window then I saw the seats that were like on display. A bakery in Porto with the gorgeous Azulejos tiles as back drop. Looks like rabbit chairs which I saw at the Art Gallery NSW in Sydney At a fish & Chips shop in Tooradin,…
Doors in the area of Rua das Flores
We discovered the charm of this 18th Century walking street sloping down from Porto’s San Bento Railway Station to the Duoro river. Known as “Rua das Flores,” or “Flower Street,” it earned its name from the beautiful gardens that used to line the houses along the way. Sadly, those gardens are now gone. Love the…
The Magic of Porto
TRAVEL DIARY: PORTO 4 Due to the persistent rain in the morning and looking like the same for the following days, we opted for a two-day hop-on-hop-off bus tour, conveniently stopping near our airbnb. From the top seats of the double decker bus we saw some amazing misty sceneries and public art. By the time…
Bookbar
The colourful seats outside the Bookbar in Islington, London. Bookbar is an independent bookshop. It is a welcoming place where anybody can sit together and read a book or have a meal or drinks. I am linking this to Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge
Vicinity of Dom Luis Bridge
This was me and Hubby walking on our first day in Porto and seeing these doors in our walk from our Air Bnb to the Dom Luis Bridge. The Dom Luís Bridge is a double-deck metal arch bridge that spans the river Douro between the cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia in Portugal….
Moving Up
Life’s a journey, it may not be always moving forward … it may be moving up. Since I am a Streetart person, i will start with a Streetart stencil of Banksy which I saw twice… once in Barcelona and this one is from Sydney. This is entitled “Girl with a Balloon”. The message of this…
2018 is special
What is your favorite holiday? Why is it your favorite? *** Being an Australian, i am defining holiday as not going to work or it’s also a longer break from work such as taking time off to go on a trip somewhere. In 2018, I embarked on an unforgettable journey through London, Prague, Vienna, and…
Still wandering in Porto
TRAVEL DIARY: PORTO 3 BACK STORY: This is a continuation of my previous blog and this day, as I’ve said, it was pouring rain. While exploring, we stopped for lunch at a unique McDonald’s in downtown Porto, Portugal. Surprisingly, this restaurant, known as the McDonald’s Imperial, is housed in a historic café adorned with stunning…
Old Lady by the Window – 1
PORTO, PORTUGAL This is in an apartment by the Praca Ribeira in Porto. I wonder what she was thinking about? I am linking this to Ludwig’s Monday Window Challenge
Music under my Umbrella
This week, Egídio hosts the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge with the topic of Music to My Eyes. Let me take you down memory lane with songs about autumn rain and umbrellas – “Autumn Leaves” has become a jazz standard and it is one of the most recorded songs by jazz musicians. My favourite version though is by Nat King Cole. The…
Benches in Watsons Bay
A ferry from the Circular Quay took us to Watsons Bay. Watsons Bay is a lovely village at the tip of South Head in the east side of Sydney. We discover a perfect mix of hidden beaches, scenic coastal paths and old-world charm. They are tiny in this photo but there are lots of benches…
Tuesday Streetart in the Cavern Quarter -37
LIVERPOOL, UK At Number 1 Temple Court sits the Revolver Bar in the Cavern Quarter. Outside are the Street murals of different artists. Photos taken in October 2023
Wandering in Porto
TRAVEL DIARY: PORTO 2 Since we were in Porto, we started our day with, you guessed it right, Portuguese tarts. Had it in the cafe right in front of the Livraria Lello. Livraria Lello is celebrated for its stunning blend of Neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau styles, making it a must-visit. Established in 1906, it’s among…
Sao Bento Railway Station Windows
São Bento is Porto’s central station and is often described as one of the most beautiful train stations in Europe or even in the whole world . This station is in the city centre, so we used it to travel locally and probably walked past it several times during our stay there. The São Bento…
Floral Entrances in Covent Gardens
Despite their artificial nature, these entrances near St. Martin Lane in Covent Garden, London, radiate beauty in their own unique way. Linked to Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge
Tuesday Streetart – 36
BRISTOL, UK This is a Streetart done by WiIII Cross (Wi with 3 capital i’s), a street artist from Bristol. It is an oil painting of a woman wearing a Bulgarian traditional costume.
First impressions of Porto
TRAVEL DIARY: PORTO 1 After a brisk journey aboard the Alfa Pendular, Portugal’s flagship Pendolinoa high-speed train, we arrived in Porto just past midday, so we were starving from the trip. Near our Airbnb, we stumbled upon a nearby restaurant where, unsure of what to choose, we trusted the owner’s recommendations for our meal. Francesinha…
Each stone tells a story
This week’s challenge is being led by Donna, and the topic is Rock my World. So welcome to my world of rocks, where each stone tells a story—not of scientific origins, but of cherished memories. Let me start with my most recent trip to Sydney with my sister, Pilar, my niece, Pam and Jack. We…