Hey hey!
Another month, another blog…you get the idea now.
If we put the wet and cold weather to the side, May was a very good month. It brought us two bank holidays, easing of more restrictions and it was my birthday. Due to the weather there aren’t loads of walks to write about on my May blog, but I will definitely make up for it with my birthday adventures in the second part.
First up, my latest walking adventures...
Richmond Park- Isabella Plantation
At the beginning of May my boyfriend and I revisted the Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park. We had last been here in December when all the plants are very Autumnal. Going in May is the height of Spring and a great chance to see all the flowers blooming. If you get nice weather then it makes a very picturesque walk in Richmond Park.
Selsey:
Who doesn’t love a trip to the beach?!
This trip to the beach was combined with one of my boyfriends jobs at his grandparents. A late afternoon beach stroll was the perfect end to a ‘family’ day and a nice breath of fresh air before the journey home. The picture above is at Pagham beach, where the views are lovely and when the tide is out it opens up great sand banks, or from looking at the picture- pebble banks rather than sand.
*Cute fact: Every beach my boyfriend and I visit, he picks me a shell <3 *
Ham - Richmond Lock Thames Walk
If you’ve followed my monthly blogs for a while you will know that back in March I walked the River Thames pathway from Teddington Lock to Ham/Twickenham. So, we went back to complete more of the river walk in May, starting in Ham where we last got to and going onto Richmond Lock. This part of the walk goes right round the edge of Richmond town centre where it hosts many bars, restaurants and boat hire stations. Along the way between Ham and Richmond is The Terrace Gardens; picturesque gardens with statues and flower beds, all on a hill with a viewpoint overlooking the Thames. We are slowly making our way along the River Thames walk by walk!
MY BIRTHDAY WEEK!!!!!
If you don’t spread your birthday out as much as possible then you're not doing it right!
I have been so spoit on my birthday this year and I am incredibly lucky to be surrounded by some amazing and thoughtful people.
The first celebrations I had booked in were all the weekend before my birthday. These were two separate meals in a restaurant, eating INSIDE!
Each time was a mad run from the car to the restaurant to avoid the rain, but both meals were lovely. On the Saturday me and my best friend headed out and grabbed ourselves a cheeky bottle of wine...essentially we laughed our way through the evening to midnight (how it should be done!).
On Sunday I had dinner with my family and boyfriend at Cote Brasserie in Kingston along the riverside. The food and service in here is always amazing and they even served a complimentary first drink for us all as it was my birthday.
My birthday was on a Wednesday and I woke up to breakfast in bed, made by my boyfriend, and spent a short part of the morning with him before he went to work. I then went out for lunch with my mum… making the most of the day before heading off to work. I didn’t book my birthday off, but I did book off the Saturday after for the bank holiday weekend ready for some more celebrations.
LONDON
On the Saturday my boyfriend had everything planned out as a surprise. We went into London and followed a route that he had mapped out around popular tourist areas; my own personal ‘walking’ tour of London. This lead into a trip to the Sea Life Aquarium and dinner at Coppa Club at Tower Bridge. We played tourists in our own city and I loved it. The day was perfect and I couldn’t have asked for more!
*Fun fact- did you know that St James Park has pelicans?
I have been to London and seen pretty much everything, but have failed to see this in all my years!*
On the Sunday my boyfriend got his classic mini out and we took it for a drive to Box Hill- Rykas Café to be precise. If you know the area and know Rykas then you’ll know the car park is renound for bikers and car enthusiasts; meaning, of course, many people would stop and come over to talk about his mini…something I am still getting used too!
LONDON...part 2
Bank Holiday Monday we headed back into London to The Sky Gardens; this time 'we' being me, my boyfriend and his mates. We stopped here to take in the views and have some lunch, accompanied with a cheeky cocktail. After this we walked into Bank to find a Santander Bike station to ride over to Hyde Park.
I was a little apprehensive about getting on a bike around London as it's not very often at all that I ride a bike, let alone ride a bike on the busy roads in London. However, most roads have great cycle lanes and traffic light systems, so my worries soon disappeared and I was able to relax, enjoy the journey and take in the sights too!
It was so nice to finally head back into London after staying away for over a year due to Covid. Visit London yourselves; take in the sights and play tourist for the day, you never know what you can find...even book a free slot at The Sky Gardens (bookable 3 weeks in advance).
May was a great start to a slow return of normality. Not too many different adventures to add, but some great walks and days out and an amazing birthday. With all this sunshine we have forecast for June take the opportunity to explore new beaches and gardens and even walk different areas of the River Thames. There are so many routes and paths out of the heart of London to follow that are just as beautiful.
I hope you all had a fabulous month in May just as I did and are ready to plan new adventures.
"Don't count the months...make the months count"
Stay safe,
Zo
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