What’s On This Weekend

Posted on April 1, 2016 by Kesh

A round up of another glorious four-day week with a host of spectacular activities in and around The Capital. Our top picks include;

The London Whisky Weekender 1-3rd;

Starting today, The London Whisky Weekender will transform the East London venue, Oval Space into a Dramtastic dream. With Whisky’s to try from all around The World this is the perfect day out for any Whisky Lover of any degree. Enjoy a dram of something you love or something brand new amidst a backdrop of blues music and some quality street food.

For tickets and info;

Whisky

Saturday Brunch at Gaucho’s Electro Brunch;

From 11am-3pm every Saturday, work your way through Gaucho’s impressive, unlimited brunch menu complete with cocktails and sparkling wine. Available at their Canary Wharf, Piccadilly and Smithfield branches and priced at £45 this is the absolute perfect way to start the weekend.

For more info and booking;

Brunch

Feast of Rugby takeover Urban Food Fest 2nd April;

This year’s HSBC London Sevens will be celebrating their partnership with Urban Food Fest by hosting a ‘Feast of Rugby’ takeover at the Shoreditch street food market on Saturday 2nd April.The market will be fully HSBC London Sevens themed and there will be special guest appearances from the England sevens team – who will be helping vendors cook up a storm on the day. From France to Fiji, think Sweet and Savoury Crêpes, slow roasted and pulled pork burgers and Venezuelan Maize arepas. Yum Yum.

Entry is free just turn up;

Euro Car Parks
162-167 Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch
London, E1

For more info;

Food

The cosiest “Night In” at Pillow Cinema.

This Saturday, snuggle up to a loved one… or two in a stunning Tudor House setting in the heart of Hackney and enjoy a screening of either Romeo and Juliet or The Danish Girl. Complimentary blankets and fatboy beanbags provided. All you need to do is turn up for a super chill Saturday Night at The Movies.

For tickets and info;

Cinema

Top of the Pop-Ups this Easter at the Perrier-Jouët Modern Mayfair Garden

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Kesh

Spring has sprung and what better way to celebrate than with a glass of fizz in an idyllic garden setting. Let’s toast this Easter at La Caprice, Mayfair and be sure to enjoy your lunch before or after perusing The Royal Academy of Arts’ latest landmark exhibition. Painting the Modern Garden: Monet to Matisse, sees Claude Monet’s water lily paintings brought to the UK for the very first time. We think this is the perfect opportunity for you to immerse yourself into spring whilst enjoying some remarkable art, food and also some lovely goodies to take away.

Priced at £38 per person, this includes a glass of Perrier-Jouët Champagne, two-course lunch at Le Caprice, tickets to ‘Painting the Modern Garden’ exhibition, a Floris London gift bag with Rose Hand Cream and Jermyn Street fragrance sample.

The Perrier-Jouët Modern Mayfair Garden is open throughout the exhibition’s run period – 30 January until 20 April 2016

We think it’s the perfect Easter treat for the adults!

For more information visit: Le Caprice

Half Term over the River Kwai by Alex Bannard, Frost’s Thailand correspondent

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Planning a half term break with a friend and her kids, Alex really experienced the beauty of whatever will be will be.
As half term approached and the realization dawned that our husbands would be working, my dear friend Meghan and I planned to take the kids away together but where? I’m not one for planning too far in advance so we were well into January before thoughts turned to half term. But having been knee-deep in major house renovations during our time in Germany, I was determined when we arrived in Thailand not to make the same mistake gain. This time, life would not take over, and opportunities for adventures and exploration would not be missed.

We talked about Krabi, or maybe a road trip down to Phuket but couldn’t finalise, nothing seemed right. I reminded Meg that whatever will be, will be. Then one day she was reminiscing about a trip to Kanchanabhuri on the banks of the River Kwai, staying in the hotel of the boys’ class mates and the light bulb came on. A few emails backwards and forwards and suddenly with days to spare until half term, we were on.

Kanchanabhuri is approximately 2 hours drive west of Bangkok. The fourth biggest city in Thailand, and compared to the capital it is a sleepy suburb.

Nestling on the River Kwai it was made famous by the novel and film Bridge over the River Kwai re-telling the brutal tale of thousands Thai’s and POW’s who lost their lives building the Burmese Railway, also know as Death Railway.

We were greeted at Mstay by Khun Ae the owner and mum of the classmates and instantly made to feel like part of the family. The resort overlooks the river and is peaceful and private, serene and soulful. It felt a million miles away from Bangkok. We spent the afternoon playing in the pool with the kids and having a heavenly foot massage.

The following morning Khun Jon joined us from Bangkok and all three families headed off into history and a ride on the infamous Death Railway. In true Thai style the 11.30 train arrived at 11.30-Thai-time: almost an hour late. On board we secured Thai donuts and pancakes for the journey and were treated to stunning views of the river.

That evening our hosts who also own a watersports rental took us out on a sunset speedboat tour of the River Kwai. Meanwhile my son Akiro, and Khun Jon hit the river on a jet ski – what an amazing treat for Akiro, speeding along super fast on his first ever jet ski trip.Onboard the speedboat we popped a bottle of fizz and tried to drink it sedately whilst the wind whipped our hair into a frizz and the fizz into a mini whirlpool in the glass. It was a relaxed end to a thought provoking day.

The next day we took a trip to Erawan Falls. This has been on my Bangkok-bucket-list since arriving here and it did not disappoint. The falls are a series of 7 waterfalls. With small kids in tow we only ventured to the first 3 and in the third took a dip. Fish nipped at our toes, which was disconcerting and it was hard to maintain a calm demeanor by which to encourage the kids into the water: we only managed to entice 4 of the 7 kids in.

This time it was my daughter Indie’s turn for a first: her first waterfall swim. The water was cool and refreshing and the fish left us alone once we were swimming.

That afternoon Khun Ae took me with her to her local hairstylist, where I has the best hair cut so far in Thailand and it only cost 250bht (£5). I resolved to catch the train down from Bangkok when the next hair cut is due. Meanwhile the kids were planting banana trees elsewhere on Khun Jon’s estate and we have promised to return when the trees need harvesting.

Our last day took us to a local farm. With a pickup truck loaded with plastic chairs doubling as a makeshift bus we trundled out to the corn fields. I am sure we were quite the sight to the workers in the fields: a truck full of Farang picking corn. Apparently I was a natural. Probably did it in a former life. We headed back to the farm for a mini spa treatment. Organic sesame paste made at the farm, mixed with ground coffee and sesame oil and massaged onto the skin – seriously soft and smooth results and another Bangkok-bucket-list ticked: natural beauty products sources for the bathroom cabinet.Afterwards an afternoon relaxing by the pool lay ahead.Before we left Kanchanabhuri we of course had to go down to the famous bridge for photo opportunities. It was hard to think of the trauma and misery of those times, and to feel that we were walking in the footsteps of so much suffering. We looked at the river, at the way it was alive, and vibrant again. We thought of the train journey we had taken on the railway and enjoyed, but it was a railway line, which accounted for the lives of so many captives, of so many nationalities.

There was much to think about amongst the click and laughter of so many selfies, and much history to process.

In our 4 days in Kanchanbhuri we were treated to the most amazing hospitality, kindness and generosity by our hosts and I cannot recommend Mstay more highly. I love leaving a place knowing when I return there is more to experience. The families merged beautifully laughing and joking with ease as if we had grown up together. We mostly ate locally and of course it was delicious and very different to the usual red and green curries. And it absolutely proved the old saying: if it’s meant to be so it will be in the most beautifully eloquent fashion.

Alex Bannard has lived the nomadic life of an expat for over 10 years. After a successful career in retail she became a mum and decided on a more holistic approach to life, teaching yoga. In 2015 the family moved to Bangkok where Alex started writing articles on yoga and her Bangkok adventures for a local magazine, Expat Life, and is also Frost Magazine’s correspondent. She continues to teach yoga and mindfulness to adults and children.

Best Chinese New Year Ever by Alex Bannard – Bangkok Correspondent

Posted on February 22, 2016 by Margaret Graham

The year of the monkey.

My first Chinese New Year (well not my first, I’m 45, there have been many) but the first I have celebrated was amazing, energizing and inspiring, spiritual and serene. Since I arrived in Bangkok I have wanted to do a cycle tour of the city. A very good friend invited me up join her and her cousin. On the day we realized our tour coincided with Chinese New Year and were a little doubtful of whether being bound for Chinatown on saddle was such a good idea. We couldn’t have been more wrong.

We arrived at the Follow Me headquarters a little late but we were welcomed warmly & joined by a Japanese girl who was in Bangkok over the weekend for work. We were dispatched to watch an amusing induction movie on cycle conduct before wobbling out of the drive and heading off.

Navigating the narrow soi’s was at times precarious especially if there was on-coming traffic either on foot or 2 wheels but we soon got the hang of it. Our first stop off was at a local Wat home of a primary school. The King, Rama 6 was educated at Oxford over 100 years ago and travelled around Europe. He saw children being educated in schools initiated the building of primary schools in the same grounds as the temples, the monks becoming the teachers. To this day many of these schools survive today. Matthew our guide, was educated in such a school.

Matthew’s Thai name is Thew meaning good view, a fitting name since he was born to be a guide and gave us a great insight and view of Bangkok, full of knowledge and very entertaining. He proceeded to tell us about his 15 days training as a monk, common in Thailand and a huge honour. He was 25, the lessons he learnt and the 15 days immersed in the spiritual life of a monk changed his life.

Next stop was the old customs house along side the river. Now derelict it is soon to be renovated into a luxury hotel. We made our way past the modern post office, the old British embassy. Then we went to the Chinese temple which was amazing.

The Doctor Buddha resides in this temple, so called because of his healing hands during his lifetime.

Locals who desire better health will pilgrimage to this temple but on Chinese New Year, the temple was buzzing, incense filled the air & tall thick red candles bought by local families, labeled with the family name burned brightly.

It was a very special moment to celebrate the dawning of the year of the monkey 2259 (2016 on the Gregorian calendar).

We cycled into Chinatown. Red lanterns adorned shop alcoves. Banners hung across the street and almost everyone was either dressed in traditional Chinese dress or red. The atmosphere was electric, carnival like. And it was barely 10am.

I needed to buy Chinese New Year costumes for the kids and myself so we could join in the celebrations at school and got very lucky with some great purchases. Then I got the kids a Chinese New Year dragon…when in Rome and all that. Talk about taking multi-tasking to the next level.

The next stop was the flower market. The flower market runs 24 hours a day. It is divided into the offerings section and the wedding section. Don’t get them confused and take flowers from the wrong section to the wrong event, it could get awkward. We saw 50 roses for 80bht approx £2 and other Valentine treats, such as roses styled out of Ferrero Rocher, a perfect Valentine’s treat for Mr P.

Then we loaded the bikes on the river taxi to go across the river to another local Wat, The Royal Temple. Not known on the tourist circuit since it nestles next door to and is overshadowed by the Arun Wat but since this is enfolded in scaffolding rendering it hugely underwhelming, Matthew took us next door.

This fabulous set of temples is usually quiet during the week but since it was Chinese New Year it was absolutely bustling. The air was again heavily incense infused, the bells ringing in our ears as the worshippers cleansed their spirits by chiming every bell.

Matthew gave us each 2 lotus flowers and showed us how to fold the lotus leaves to reveal the flower, a wonderfully therapeutic exercise, almost meditative in its essence.

Then we made an offering to the Buddha of the flowers and wound our way back to our bikes through the throng.

Back on the saddle we wove through more Soi’s glimpsing snatches of Thai life: small dark shop openings; flashes of flatscreen TV’s through part open doorways; women sitting on wooden seats watching the world go by; kids playing bare foot in the street; family members asleep on the floor and lots of greetings of ‘Sawadee ka’ and ‘Happy new year’. It was marvelous.

Every so often through the tour we would venture onto the main roads and on the way home we certainly navigated the busiest roads, 3 and 4 lanes in both directions but it was not as treacherous as I thought it would be. The smaller roads, where cars has slowed to allow us through were more so as the moped drivers whizzed through the gaps, reminding everyone who really is king of the road in Bangkok.

Back at base we were awarded an ice cream and the possibility of a foot spa in the pool of tiny hungry fishes, I declined this with my sights set on Dean and Delucca round the corner and a well deserved New York style lunch for a change, but is a great tour, a totally different way to explore and experience Bangkok with or without the added festivities of Chinese New Year.

Later that week, the kids and I headed to school adorned in our Chinese New Year outfits for a morning of welcoming in the year of the monkey. In Foundation Stage the children made lanterns, lucky money and ribbons amongst other traditional crafts. The girls cavorted with their ribbons along to videos of professionals doing the same before we headed to the Chinese New Year assembly. A wonderful celebration showcasing the best of Bangkok’s Chinese music, Kung Fu & off course the finale with the Chinese Dragons. Next year we’re planning to join the Chinese Dragon Parade and party in Chinatown.

www.followmebiketour.com/

Over the Sea to Skerries By Wendy Breckon

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Over the Irish Sea, but not too far away is the delightful coastal town of Skerries (Na Sceiri), 30 km north of Dublin Port. Today on my journey over, fellow travellers cling tightly to each other on the boat, as the choppy waves make it difficult to stand up or move. People naturally, are determined to avoid the perils of the upside down position… myself included. A brave few with money to burn, are trying to meander a safe passage to the bright, enticing lights of the duty free shop.

On disembarking … the car chugs along gently, through the Dublin Tunnel, on its now familiar journey to one of my favourite places. The long street with vibrant shops either side, including a charming little bookshop, is bustling with friendly people of all ages, scurrying here and there, clutching flowers or fresh bread.

Skerries is a captivating spot to rest a while and enjoy. Like a good book though, you will never want to reach the last page.

A visit to Olive the bakery and deli is irresistible. This popular hotspot in the middle of the town is buzzing with animated people, couples and young families laughing and sharing stories… blending together perfectly. Outside in the covered section, at the front, I enjoy their excellent coffee and homemade scones. Sssh… please don’t tell anyone I’ve just had my third cup.

Afterwards, we stroll along The Strand to the brightly coloured, bobbing boats in the harbour. The January waves scatter and shake their spray on our path to the beach. Aah… the sea, skip down by the edge to the curling waves, place your feet on the sand, and take a deep breath or two. Enjoy the calm… practise mindfulness… it’s free.

Just beyond the little town, lies the picturesque Skerries Mill with the duck pond, wet lands, and the old mill, its sails rising above the earth. Inside the door to the exhibition centre and cafe is a large, heavy old bell, which mischievous children love to ring.

Upstairs, if you haven’t eaten too many scones at Olive, a light lunch can be savoured over your latest novel. Mine is The South by Colm Toibin, the well known Irish novelist. Afterwards, sneak out to the award winning gift shop for a piece of Celtic treasure or a book of my favourite Irish poetry, W B Yates the perfect choice.

Outside, the site commands a wonderful view of the coast and the offshore Islands of St. Patricks; Shenick and Colt. In the early sixteenth century, where the seagulls and ducks roam now, the land once belonged to an Augustinian Monastic Foundation.

Today might be cold and wintry, but the simple beauty of Skerries is, that whatever the weather, it’s a magical… take in slowly… kind of place. Maybe when you are over in Ireland next you might want to visit and explore.

My Bangkok Life – The Elephant Parade Words and images by Alex Bannard

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Margaret Graham

My Bangkok Life – The Elephant Parade

Words and images by Alex Bannard

Alex Bannard,Frost Magazines’ Bangkok correspondent, explored Lumpini Park to see the Elephant Parade. She found that this uplifting and colourful morning provided an insight into a worth cause.

We moved to Bangkok at the beginning of August 2015, following in the footsteps of the hubby, Mr P who had arrived at the beginning of March to start his new job. We loved it immediately: the food, the culture, the people, the weather. We’ve made some really wonderful friends, settled in & it feels like home already. Now it’s time to start exploring.

The Elephant Parade has been visiting Bangkok during December & January so we headed off to Lumpini Park keen to see it. I had suggested we take the water taxi, quicker, more fun for the kids but Mr P said the traffic would be fine on a Sunday. An hour later & much whining & pressing of each other’s & my buttons from the back seat & we finally arrived.

We put the lead on the puppy & headed off to find the parade. Only to be stopped by security, no dogs allowed in the park. Seriously? For a moment my love affair with this amazing city faltered. But being a selfless character, I handed the lead to Mr P & said, ‘Well I’m going, you can stay here with the dog.’ He went for a snooze in the a/c’d car, win win all round.

Aside from passing lots of Soi (street) dogs as we walked through the park & the sweltering heat, the parade was delightful. My daughter bumped into one of her ballet-class-cohorts & posed mercilessly by almost every elephant, having recently been taught the art my one of her friend’s mothers whilst my son was chief photographer.

The Elephant Parade is the brain-child of Marc Spits who visited The Friends of Asian Elephant Hospital in Thailand with his son, Mike & meet Mosha a baby elephant who had lost a foot at 7 months old thanks to a landmine accident. She has a new prosthetic leg fitted every year & every year has to learn to re-walk again. The Parade was set up to raise awareness & money for the plight of Asian elephants, many of which no longer have work & are forced to beg for food with their mahouts thorough the busy Thai streets.

The Parade, which started in 2006 has visited many European & Asian cities including Milan, Copenhagen, London, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Singapore & California. It is the largest exhibition of decorated life-sized elephant statues painted by celebrities & artists including Katy Perry, Sir Richard Branson, Paul Smith, Goldie Hawn, & here in Bangkok people like Nancy Chandler who makes wonderful maps & cards of Bangkok & local actors & artists.

The elephants are auctioned afterwards to raise money – I went on line desperate to obtain my favourite Elephant but rather staggered at the average bid being around 250,000bht, more then £4,500. It is an auction only for the hi-so of Bangkok, not your average expat. But miniature replicas are available on line & you can buy packs to paint your own if you are a budding artist.

The charity pledges to provide at least £50,000 in donations each year to support 25 elephants rescued from domestication or the streets, supporting the mahouts & their families with English lessons, education & even a livelihood for the wives in building their own silk worm farms. A great cause, some fabulous designs, definitely worth checking out.

Any one for Krakow at Christmas? By Margaret Graham

Posted on January 4, 2016 by Margaret Graham

No, not crackers, Krakow. We’ve been to Krakow at various times of the year, and it is one of the most beautiful and fascinating East European cities, affordable (perhaps because it’s not in the Euro?) with friendly, English speaking inhabitants.

We traveled with Easyjet (trouble free) and were upgraded to fantastic 5* Hotel Stary, with superb facilities and staff. Try the sauna, pool, salt cave and gym – though the gym was not on my agenda – I know my limits.

The main square is a rectangular space surrounded by historic townhouses and churches. The center of the square is dominated by the Cloth Hall), rebuilt in 1555 in the Renaissance style, topped by a parapet decorated with carved masks, with the interior elegantly decorated for Christmas.

On one side of the Cloth Hall is the Town Hall Tower, on the other the 10th century Church of St. Adalbert and 1898 Adam Mickiewicz Monument. Rising above the square are the Gothic towers of St. Mary’s Basilica. On the hour I gather a member of the fire service trumpets the hour. Sure enough we could see the glint of the instrument.

Yes, glint, because the weather was spring-like.

We took a free walking tour with Good Cracow Tours: www.goodcracowtours.eu (you merely tip at the end). Our guide was Eugene, formerly a lawyer and hip-hop dancer (yes really) from the Ukraine. He is knowledgeable, funny and friendly. We learned a great deal and had fun.

Around the square are many restaurants which are warm whatever the weather (there are heaters) and you can sit there and watch the world go by, as well as the horse drawn carriages.

Choose to eat within the glass-enclosed pavements areas or down one of the side streets. You must try our favourite dish, soup in a bread bowl. You can eat the lid, and indeed, pull off parts of the sides. Delicious. Don’t forget hot chocolate. I swear it is just melted chocolate. Not a calorie amongst it.

Other places to visit are the Bishop’s Palace in Kraków which is the seat of the Krakow metropolitan Curia, and the traditional residence of Krakow bishops since the late 14th century.

Between 1958 and 1978the palace was a residence of Cardinal Karol Wojtyła, who in October 1978 became the first Slavic Pope in history, adopting the name John Paul II.

At Christmas the square is alive with the Christmas Market, buskers, and events.

The bars and clubs are open into the early hours of the morning to the relief of our son.

On a more sombre note, visitors should visit the old Jewish Quarter (Kazimierz District) from which thousands of Jews which the Nazis were savagely herded to the Ghetto to the north of the district. There is now a memorial in the form of oversized bronze chairs on the Plac Bohaterow Getta, very near to square. This square is very close to Schindler’s Factory which now houses an excellent museum covering not just the Nazis occupation, but the Soviet one too.

It was from this ghetto that the Jews were transported to death camps, including the nearby Auschwitz. We took a walking tour around Kazimierz though not with Good Crakow Tours because we needed a morning tour, but left it early on because of the flippant attitude of the guide. She showed a total lack of respect for the suffering of the Jews, and their dispersal (see the film Schindler’s List).

We continued on our own, strolling along ancient narrow streets, visiting the Old Synagogue which is now a museum: thought provoking and unforgettable. It is an extraordinary experience to walk these streets which have seen so much, and which is regenerating as a thriving arts and residential area. It is good to see that there is a Jewish presence, albeit it understandably small.

Take lunch in the old market square and have a look at the small enclosed area with the menorah railings.

And what about the Restaurant Szara Kazimierz – excellent food and lovely friendly service. But this is the case at all the Krakow restaurants and cafes.

Frost totally recommends Krakow. A wonderful Christmas destination, in fact, a great all year round destination, and don’t forget to seek out Eugene or any of the other Good Crakow Tour guides – just look for the green umbrellas in front of St Mary’s and say hello from Frost Magazine.

West End of Glasgow by Mary Cooper

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Frostie

I have lived in a village overlooking Glasgow most of my life but somehow I have managed to bypass the West End a part of Glasgow which once attracted rich merchants who built magnificent mansions and, later, the characteristic terraced houses which are the pride of Glasgow.

I had arranged to meet Anne, a friend of many years, outside Saint Enoch’s underground station in the heart of Glasgow, and a noisy ride later we emerged into the West End,

On a warmer day we might have stopped to admire the architecture but we were drawn like moths towards the brightly lit shop windows – all just a stone’s throw from the grand glass structures of the botanical gardens.

We managed to resist till we reached ‘Time & Tide’: this shop window we found irresistible . There was so much to see and everything beautifully presented. At one point we decided that we should just move in or at least the owner could adopt us. The owner laughed; she thought we were joking.

In the end we had to be satisfied with buying some candles and Anne promised to come back another day to look again at some blue velvet dining chairs.

Outside in the darkening streets we were halted by the sight of a beautiful church lit up like a Christmas tree. It was the ‘Oran Mor’, which means ‘Great Melody of Life’.

Oran Mor was once Kelvinside’s parish church but is now a cultural centre; a place which demonstrates the best of the City, where you can wine, dine and be entertained by music and theatre. The order of the day is: ‘a pie, a pint and a play’.

Glasgow artist and writer Alasdair Gray was commissioned to paint the ceiling in the bar.

and everywhere you look in the plethora of nooks and crannies, there are glimpses of works by local artists, past and present.

http://oran-mor.co.uk

Across the street, in tranquil gardens, above the terraced houses of Kelvinside, are the great glass structures of the Botanical Gardens.

The Gardens started life in humbler surroundings on the edge of the city. Thomas Hopkirk, a renowned Glasgow botanist, supplied a nucleus of 3000 plants in 1817 but by 1839 it had expanded so much that it had to be relocated to its present position.

After the cold dampness of a Scottish winter, the warmth of the steamy glass houses was very welcome.

At last, as the street lights began to twinkle, we made our way to Jinty McGinty’s pub and restaurant for a glass of wine and a late lunch before heading home, with a promise to meet soon and continue our exploration of this bohemian paradise.

image 12

https://peoplemakeglasgow.com/discover/districts/districts-west-end

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