Fifty Four and Counting

British

Dakota Bar & Grill, Manchester – Wow! I was not expecting this in Manchester!

I’ve heard great things about the Northern Quarter of Manchester. In fact the entire city…

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Airlines

Sani Resort, Halkidiki, Greece – Where 5 Stars exceed your expectations

I’ve travelled to many places in my lifetime and confess often to feeling slightly underwhelmed.…

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Bistro

Who would have thought the ‘Refuge’ was back in fashion!

Thirty years ago the Refuge Assurance Co. was a Mancunian landmark like no other. Its…

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Angkor Wat

Cambodia Past and Present

Cambodia is full of history and conflict, according to Muy (pronounced moy) our guide. He…

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People

And we think moving house is a challenge..

In the mountains above Mai Chau live the Hmong (pronounced hu-mum) people. They are farmers…

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Italian

Porada Whitefield

Whitefield is quickly becoming North Manchesters quality restaurant hot spot. Last night the Porada was…

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Guest Houses

Castle Canyke Farm – Bodmin – “If only …

“If only I could stay at Castle Canyke wherever we go!” It pains me to say…

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The Grosvenor Pulford Hotel and Spa by Kasia – A delightful weekend retreat

BistrofiftyfourandcountingJanuary 22, 2020

Just occasionally you need a break .. a rest to recharge, de-stress and spend time with the person you love. Choosing such a place needs to be special, not to far to travel, a good reputation and a boutique feel. So when I heard about the Spa by Kasia and the Grosvenor Pulford I booked…

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IsraelfiftyfourandcountingDecember 31, 2019

OMG! Guess who was having dinner right behind me

So we visited a really nice restaurant in Tel-Aviv, Israel recently called Mantaray. I couldn’t help but notice two serious plain…

PeoplefiftyfourandcountingDecember 13, 2019

My Emotional Roller Coaster Week and The Future of the UK

Change happens. It’s just one part in the cycle of life. People come and go, some win, some lose and others…

PeoplefiftyfourandcountingDecember 10, 2019

Finally the one place my mum has not been to

My mum was born in 1929 to a mother and father of Russian decent. During the war she was evacuated out…

CountriesfiftyfourandcountingNovember 25, 2019

OMG! Whatever your moral compass, we’re being asked to vote with our conscience

When the Chief Rabbi stepped into the political ring today he suggested that the UK go to the polls voting with…

Atrium PlatinumfiftyfourandcountingNovember 2, 2019

Atrium Platinum, Ixia, Rhodes – First Class & Exceptional Staff

Choosing a location for an Autumn break, close to the UK with warm weather, limits your choice. Mention Greece and we…

ManchesterfiftyfourandcountingOctober 22, 2019

Manchester Airport Meet & Greet – Really Efficient, but Fast Track may not be worth it

So we began our relaxed journey to Manchester Airport in our own car and arrived at the Meet and Greet after…

CountriesfiftyfourandcountingOctober 20, 2019

Brexit – We want to make our own decisions! .. But we can’t even make one!

What a farce! The leaders of democracy, respected around the world for our wise, thoughtful and considered thinking. Ha! We are…

Hopemill TheatrefiftyfourandcountingOctober 13, 2019

Mame, Hope Mill Theatre – Incredible, Energetic, Funny and above all contagious!

What an amazing show! This wonderful show starring critically acclaimed and two-time Olivier Award-winner Tracie Bennett as Mame (She Loves Me,…

FoodfiftyfourandcountingAugust 18, 2019

Naturally fast food can be healthy from a motorway services

According to the press, we are a very unhealthy nation. BMI values show many Brits being obese, living terribly unhealthy lifestyles…

Child Car SeatsfiftyfourandcountingAugust 15, 2019

Child car seats, UK law, forward or rear-facing? R44 & R129, confused? I offer some clarity for grandparents

As a grandfather I’d like to be able to get involved occasionally collecting my grand daughter from nursery, or take one…

CefalùfiftyfourandcountingAugust 14, 2019

Cefalú, Sicily – One of Italy’s crown jewels

Wherever I go, no matter where I am, I try to understand the character, charm and people of a city, all…

Greater Manchester PolicefiftyfourandcountingAugust 11, 2019

Greater Manchester Mounted Police – Impressive and Neccesary

It’s one of the first things for me that springs to mind when I think of crowd control, Mounted Police. I…

For GrandpasfiftyfourandcountingAugust 11, 2019

When a sample sized paint pot turns out not to be a sample!

We’ve recently been refurbishing our lounge. It was dated and with a growing family, we were ready for a change. 25 years…

FoodfiftyfourandcountingAugust 9, 2019

Granola, Picasso by Spicewayuk – A top deluxe product in its class

I’m definately not a morning person. I sort of slumber out of a deep sleep these days, forcing myself to leave…

Dooties, Bury – a family gem in an unlikely loca

Dooties, Bury – a family gem in an unlikely location
It's an unlikely location to find a restaurant where little parking exists, where the road is narrow and situated at the end of a residential road that borders an industrial area. But then this is an unlikely successful Italian restaurant where owners David and Rachel pour their hearts and soles into the very fabric of the old Coop building. The food is simple, they've stuck to good quality Italian dishes that they know they can deliver without complaint... and who's complaining? I like the fact that Dooties, which can be found on Hollins Lane, between Whitefield and Bury, doesn't try to be something it's not. The food here is good, great value and frankly I can't think of any reason not to return. We had half cheese and half tomato garlic bread for a shared starter and then ordered home made vegetarian pizza and lasagne. The food was excellent and after drinks, starters and mains for 4 people the total cost was £50 including a tip. I'll be back soon.. try it yourself, you'll not be disappointed. More info can be found on Facebook SaveSave SaveSave

Dooties, Bury – Great food and more.. When I las

Dooties, Bury – Great food and more..
When I last visited this family run business on the edge of Bury I confess I was not as observant as I might have been. On this occasion we arrived to a packed restaurant so sat at a small table located behind the front door. As I observed the opposite wall I watched as Damian expertly spun pizza bases and the staff passed behind the patchwork wall. Our special starter arrived .. a beautiful and unusual dish of very sweet baby peppers and stuffed tomatoes with mozzarella. They were baked in a shallow earthenware dish... and they were delicious! Our Piri Piri pizzas arrived baked to perfection, fresh and piping hot. But when I visited last time I was unaware what lay behind the wall of patchwork tiles. Our host Damian, (who I incorrectly kept calling David), came to chat and revealed that behind the wall lay a Gin Bar! It would seem that Damien and Rachel have plans .. if they are as good as the food then I look forward to returning to Dooties soon. Check them out on Facebook

OMG! Guess who was having dinner right behind me S

OMG! Guess who was having dinner right behind me
So we visited a really nice restaurant in Tel-Aviv, Israel recently called Mataray. I couldn’t help but notice two serious plain clothes security enter the restaurant. Perhaps I wouldn’t have taken much notice except for the way they were checking out the place and the curly earpiece I noticed behind their left ears. And then in walked two couples who sat on a table just behind me. It was then that our friends eating with us noticed who one of the four customers were. Ehoud Barrack. Here in this lovely sea front fish restaurant sat one of Israel’s most famous people. Ehud Barak was born Ehud Brog 12 February 1942 and is an Israeli general and politician who served as the tenth Prime Minister from 1999 to 2001. He was leader of the Labor Party until January 2011. He previously held the posts of Minister of Defense and Deputy Prime Minister under Ehud Olmert and then in Benjamin Netanyahu's second government from 2007 to 2013, as he retired from politics at the end of the tenure, though he returned in June of 2019 with the formation of a new party. A Rav Aluf (Lieutenant general) in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Barak is the joint most highly decorated soldier in Israel's history, having taken part in many battles and combat missions. Following a highly decorated career, he was appointed Chief of General Staff in 1991, serving until 1995. He is a graduate in physics, mathematics, and economics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Stanford University. You can never be sure whose company you might be in. Of course we never spoke and he’ll never know that we were right behind one another .. but then he probably wouldn’t be interested!

My Emotional Roller Coaster Week and The Future of

My Emotional Roller Coaster Week and The Future of the UK
Change happens. It’s just one part in the cycle of life. People come and go, some win, some lose and others are not part of the future at all but merely a vivid memory. As the polls this week predicted left, right, remain and leave my emotions this week have been disturbed by inevitable change. The fear that some might be ok to live with prejudice of any type, the fear that communism could take hold and the emotions associated with the loss of your closest ally. Change happens. When I lost my mum at the start of the week I realised that her demise was inevitable, even so when I thought about the future and probably the most important election in my lifetime, I’m thankful for the past and hopeful for the future. My mum was of a generation that fought a war and lived a full and fruitful life as a result of hard work by my late father. She lived in a country of tolerance, diversity and hope. The very thought that a government might get in, strip hard working individuals of their hard earned wealth and banish entrepreneurial spirits from our way of life was scary. Getting Brexit Done was not my first choice, but moving on unlocks the log jam, shows that individuals have the power to make change and shows that whilst all parties can promise their version of the future, humans are capable of sorting through the noise. My mum leaves a hole in my life, but democracy leaves me with hope and a brighter future. The country will now bounce into confident trade, shops will buzz, the economy will boom until the next crisis or sad loss. Antisemitism, prejudice and Marxism are rejected. But of course we know who will be blamed if the outcome is not what you expected. But perhaps the public did vote with their conscience after all, my mum will leave me with a lasting inner peace and the future will be brighter than it has been. Let’s hope that Boris can rebuild trust, deliver on his promises and that we all remember that change is inevitable.

Finally the one place my mum has not been to My mu

Finally the one place my mum has not been to
My mum was born in 1929 to a mother and father of Russian decent. During the war she was evacuated out of Manchester to Bolton. Her beauty was unquestionable as a young woman. She enjoyed dancing and dress making. When she eventually married, my father, who had established a travel business, was able to take her all over the world. She was fascinated by cultures, colours, customs and creativity where ever she went. She headed up the League of Jewish Women and would give of herself selflessly. She was mother to myself and two brothers. And perhaps because I am the youngest, I was always her baby, even at 58. My brothers and I knew our mother in our own unique ways, but in my case I have memories of mum away with my father in far off places that I could not pronounce to eventually return to tell me stories of her travels. Sadly, shortly after my Dad passed away in 2012, mum had to have a pacemaker fitted and then was cruelly hit by two strokes leaving her for almost six years with dysphasia and vascular dementia. I loved my mum. She had a good life, made terrific meat strudel and szimmas and in return she loved all the family, her children, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. Her enduring loyalty to my late father was unbreakable. Whilst I will miss her, having now departed on her one way ticket to her final destination, I have to be thankful that she was in my life for almost two thirds of her 90 years. It’s taken a long time, but now mum is reunited with Dad and able to complete the last voyage to the one place she’s not been to ... her final destination and resting place, after a wonderful and exciting journey. Heathlands eventually became her home. Often I would pop in and we’d laugh about something .. and then when I would be leaving I would say “love you”.. and she would respond “I love you too” ... to which I would always say over her protests .. “love you more”.

Tonight’s dinner.. fresh salmon, crushed pistach

Tonight’s dinner.. fresh salmon, crushed pistachio, cranberries, lemon, virgin olive oil and seasoning. Simple!

Apple, strawberry and #spicewayuk Picasso Granola

Apple, strawberry and #spicewayuk Picasso Granola cereal ... fantastic flavours .. try it, you’ll love it!

In @Platzki a Polish Restaurant just off Deansgate

In @Platzki a Polish Restaurant just off Deansgate in the Great Northern Warehouse complex. Looking forward to a typical Polish meal

Tonight’s dinner figs, green beans, toasted almo

Tonight’s dinner figs, green beans, toasted almonds all covered in a delicious sauce

Miso Soup @sunsetmcr first course really good! Gre

Miso Soup @sunsetmcr first course really good! Great atmosphere here and good company

Looking forward to celebrating our 35th wedding an

Looking forward to celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary here @sunsetmcr looking forward to #greatfood

Devilled mushrooms with whole meal toast this morn

Devilled mushrooms with whole meal toast this morning @craigmhorlodge just delicious!

Looking forward to breakfast @craigmhorlodge .. Co

Looking forward to breakfast @craigmhorlodge .. Could it be Peak Smoked Buckie Haddock? It was delicious!

A warm welcome awaits @craigmhorlodge .. lovely de

A warm welcome awaits @craigmhorlodge .. lovely decor and great location to Pitlochry

Granola @craigmhorlodge just devine! A beautiful l

Granola @craigmhorlodge just devine! A beautiful lodge in Pitlochry.

Check out this funny self confessed gambler @edfri

Check out this funny self confessed gambler @edfringe to see @rossbrierley1

Would you eat this? I did and it was really good!

Would you eat this? I did and it was really good! Hummus, chopped olives and fresh veg ... original from @celiaclynebanqueting #healthyfood #healthylifestyle #foodpic #foodporn #foodphotography #foodphoto #vegetarian

Tomato and Mozzarella @saniresort @sani_resort_off

Tomato and Mozzarella @saniresort @sani_resort_official where you get #greatfood #photooftheday #photography #travelphotography #foodpic #foodporn #foodphotography #greekfood

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