Barclays Business Advice
Barclays' business advisors are really worth talking to. I found it hard to believe that a bank could give impartial business advice, but I was mistaken. Barclays even advised me about an account with another bank. I won't give the name of the person I spoke with, incase I get them in trouble, but I was very impressed by how helpful they were.
Westwood Lakes
Westwood Lakes is a peaceful wooden lodge retreat in Lincolnshire.
Surrounding three man made lakes, each lodge has a decking area overlooking the water, which is beautiful at night with the lodge lights flickering off the lake. We especially enjoyed sitting in our hot tub (available in the VIP lodges) looking out at the stars.
We were greeted, shown into our lodge and given a full tour. There was a small mix up with the patio door keys, first the lady showing us around thought the previous visitors had taken the keys home with them, but as she called to ask them my boyfriend found them on a hook behind the curtain. The woman was certain that the same key should unlock both doors, however one refused to open, so she called a maintenance man. He arrived within five minutes but was unfortunately unable to solve the problem, so he called the window men. Within an hour they arrived and replaced the lock. The minute we were alone, we found another key behind the other curtain, where no-one had thought to check.
The lodge was well equipped and reasonably large, with ample size for two people. There were two bathrooms, one with a shower and one with a bath. The water pressure was rather low, and as such the shower was more of a trickle than a blast of water. The kitchen had all the utensils and pans you could need, however it would have been nice to have had washing up liquid, salt, and pepper provided along with the welcome tray of tea, coffee and biscuits.
This is the perfect place to relax and escape from busy every day life. If you like to fish (which I don't) you will fit in well, but even if you don't this is a lovely place to visit.
Surrounding three man made lakes, each lodge has a decking area overlooking the water, which is beautiful at night with the lodge lights flickering off the lake. We especially enjoyed sitting in our hot tub (available in the VIP lodges) looking out at the stars.
We were greeted, shown into our lodge and given a full tour. There was a small mix up with the patio door keys, first the lady showing us around thought the previous visitors had taken the keys home with them, but as she called to ask them my boyfriend found them on a hook behind the curtain. The woman was certain that the same key should unlock both doors, however one refused to open, so she called a maintenance man. He arrived within five minutes but was unfortunately unable to solve the problem, so he called the window men. Within an hour they arrived and replaced the lock. The minute we were alone, we found another key behind the other curtain, where no-one had thought to check.
The lodge was well equipped and reasonably large, with ample size for two people. There were two bathrooms, one with a shower and one with a bath. The water pressure was rather low, and as such the shower was more of a trickle than a blast of water. The kitchen had all the utensils and pans you could need, however it would have been nice to have had washing up liquid, salt, and pepper provided along with the welcome tray of tea, coffee and biscuits.
This is the perfect place to relax and escape from busy every day life. If you like to fish (which I don't) you will fit in well, but even if you don't this is a lovely place to visit.
Masala Zone, Islington
Quick, varied, and value for money.
The menu is different to that of any Indian restaurant I have visted previously, which was a refreshing change. The waiter explained to me that thalis are their main focus, although they do offer a selection of street food, regular curries, grills, and noodle dishes.
I decided to try a regular vegetarian thali with paneer masala curry, this came with poppadoms with dips, saffron rice with peas and sweetcorn, dal, spiced potatoes, and squash in a tomato sauce. I enjoyed having the selection of dishes and would especially recommend the dal. However, there was too much food for one person really, it was lucky that my sister had only ordered a lamb korma curry and she was happy to sample some of my other dishes.
The lassis are delicious, we tried both strawberry and mango, and found they were the perfect way to cool a spicy mouth; they were rather filling though.
The overall restaurant was visually pleasing, with colourful mural covered walls, and large glass windows. The seats were not particularly comfortable as they had very low backs and tables of two are only allowed to sit on the wooden rather than cushioned chairs. The middle tables are too close to the outer circle of tables, there are dividers, but these only come up to table height, so you do feel like you are sitting with the people at the table next to you.
The restaurant was busy even on a Wednesday before 7pm. I wouldn't rave about the place, but it does seem to be popular and I'm glad to have tried it.
The menu is different to that of any Indian restaurant I have visted previously, which was a refreshing change. The waiter explained to me that thalis are their main focus, although they do offer a selection of street food, regular curries, grills, and noodle dishes.
I decided to try a regular vegetarian thali with paneer masala curry, this came with poppadoms with dips, saffron rice with peas and sweetcorn, dal, spiced potatoes, and squash in a tomato sauce. I enjoyed having the selection of dishes and would especially recommend the dal. However, there was too much food for one person really, it was lucky that my sister had only ordered a lamb korma curry and she was happy to sample some of my other dishes.
The lassis are delicious, we tried both strawberry and mango, and found they were the perfect way to cool a spicy mouth; they were rather filling though.
The overall restaurant was visually pleasing, with colourful mural covered walls, and large glass windows. The seats were not particularly comfortable as they had very low backs and tables of two are only allowed to sit on the wooden rather than cushioned chairs. The middle tables are too close to the outer circle of tables, there are dividers, but these only come up to table height, so you do feel like you are sitting with the people at the table next to you.
The restaurant was busy even on a Wednesday before 7pm. I wouldn't rave about the place, but it does seem to be popular and I'm glad to have tried it.
Women of Manhattan at The Old Red Lion Theatre
A clever combination of absolute candour and trivial torment make this incredibly relateable and cringingly funny.
Billie is searching for that something missing in an outwardly perfect and fulfilled life.
Rhonda is learning how to be by herself.
Judy is in search of love, or at least someone who wants to sleep with her.
These three woman while being relateable, are not necessarily likeable.
The Old Red Lion Theatre is an upstairs performance space above The Old Red Lion Pub. This play was fully booked on the night I attended, which meant there weren't enough seats and people had to sit on the steps. Whilst being unconventional, the small and up close space allowed you to become engrossed in the world created on set.
Definitely worth seeing for yourself.
Billie is searching for that something missing in an outwardly perfect and fulfilled life.
Rhonda is learning how to be by herself.
Judy is in search of love, or at least someone who wants to sleep with her.
These three woman while being relateable, are not necessarily likeable.
The Old Red Lion Theatre is an upstairs performance space above The Old Red Lion Pub. This play was fully booked on the night I attended, which meant there weren't enough seats and people had to sit on the steps. Whilst being unconventional, the small and up close space allowed you to become engrossed in the world created on set.
Definitely worth seeing for yourself.
Beach Reads
For a beach read with the staple romance, sex, and strong characters, Louise Bagshawe is the author for me. There are always two strong female characters, one English, one American, who go head to head with one another. There is always a character to hate. There is always revenage and a happy ending where it has all worked out for the best. Despite this, each story manages to be original and will have you desperate to turn each page and discover what happens next. And if that hasn't sold you, the sex scenes will, they definitely bring some heat to your holiday.
Being Committed by Anna Maxted
Finally an admition that men are not the only ones terrified of committment. Hannah is the opposite of everything women are expected to be, and as such, she is incredibly relateable. I would love to see this book made into a TV miniseries.
Maneater by Gigi Levangie
Clarissa is every mans dream, and every mans nightmare. I read an artile a few years ago, by Kate Saunders, discussing the fact that the people of today want everything now, Clarissa is the epitome of this and she knows exactly how to go about getting what she wants. I think every woman has a little Clarissa in them, some burried more deeply than others. This is one of my favourite books, I can read Maneater over and over again.
Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann
Jacqueline Susann's Valley of the Dolls is as valid today as the year it was written. The book centres around Hollywood's worship of youth and skinnyness. This should be a staple read for all celebrities and all the young girls who dream of being famous. I got to the end and immediately wanted to flip back to the beginning and start reading again.
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