All days are an adventure. Mother’s Day 2023 proves to be another day filled with the mix of love, joy and frustration that are reflected in most days, for most mothers.
Morning Breaks
I’m allowed to sleep in.… Read the rest
Mother’s Day 2023
Big Bus Dubai
It’s Jasper’s IFA football end of season party and after an incredible win for both the U12’s and U13’s Youth Premier League teams we’re off on a Big Bus Dubai tour to celebrate.
Jasper was lucky enough to come into the season as goalkeeper halfway along when the team was already doing pretty well.… Read the rest
West Side Story
West Side Story
This April, we’re back at Dubai Opera for West Side Story. This rare touring production featuring Jerome Robbins’ original choreography has thrilled audiences since 2003. It has played on three continents and been enjoyed by more than three million people in 28 countries.… Read the rest
Walking Tirana
Arrival
We arrive in Tirana as the sun is setting behind the Sheshi Karl Topia not far from our hotel Albanopolis on the Rruga Mine Piza. It’s located just inside the ring road that distinguishes the old town centre and I’m keen to go walking.… Read the rest
Krujë
Krujë, this most charming of towns, is a bonus afternoon getaway. Having spent the morning at Bunk’Art and with our planned afternoon going off the rails due to inclement weather, I find myself in Krujë. I’m here a day earlier than planned and not a moment too soon!… Read the rest
Kodra Restaurant
An early morning walk and then a visit, en route, to the delightful Ardenica Monastery, sees us arrive in Gjirokaster for a late lunch at Kodra Restaurant. Perched high on the hill in the old town, it is currently raining and so, a lazy lunch seems the perfect way to await finer weather.… Read the rest
The Monastery of Ardenica
Atop a hill overlooking the small town of Fier in Albania, lies the Monastery of Ardenica, also known as the Monastery of the Nativity of Theotokos in Ardenica.
It has topped this hill in one form or another since 1282 when it was first founded by the Byzantine Emperor, Andronikos II Palaiologos after his victory against Angevins in the siege of Berat.… Read the rest
Osumi River Rafting
The Osumi River is calling me. It flows past us in Berat and despite its milky, cold appearance, I know that the canyons up river await us for an exciting rafting adventure.
Getting There
We depart Berat just after 9am and it doesn’t take long to get out of the little town.… Read the rest
Berat Castle
Berat Castle sits atop the hill and is the original centre of Berat. More of a small fortified town than a castle, the complex takes in walls, towers, churches, mosque ruins and an historic cistern as well as numerous small buildings that are maintained today as houses, restaurants and shops.… Read the rest
Alpeta Winery
A short drive through the countryside from Berat, after a morning at Berat Castle and the Onunfri Museum, and we come to the tiny village of Roshnik where the Alpeta Winery makes a big impression.
Wine Tasting
We’re here for wine tasting, a tour of the Vineyard and a hearty lunch sourced from local produce.… Read the rest