Canterbury Cathedral: A photographic journey

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Starting with the happiest reflection from our visit – We took our little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to the cathedral and we could bring her into all parts of the Cathedral except when the service was happening and inner chapel. We love visiting cathedrals but just the fact that doggies are not allowed in has meant us missing so many of them so when I saw this information as we were trying to plan who stays out and who goes and what we do, I read, much to my absolute delight that doggies are welcome in all areas except very few restricted spots/service. And just like that, this has become my most favourite cathedral in the country for its inclusivity and for enabling us to appreciate and take in all the glory that is the Canterbury Cathedral, as a family.

And now that I have squealed my most favourite information, let me get into more of its wonder. We visited the cathedral as we were entering spring last year, so it has been a while but our wanderings and sights have stayed with me, a bit blurry but coming alive as we pour over the very many pictures we took from our morning there. So many that I have scratched the surface with a tiny selection of pictures here. We spent a day at Canterbury on our way back from Kent to Surrey and I highly recommend the entire town!

Canterbury Cathedral is such a breathtaking masterpiece of English Gothic architecture and nothing I recount here will bring to life the feeling of awe that captured us when we entered. 

The graceful rising stone arches and the pointed vaults lend themselves to the character of the cathedral. The intricately carved choir showcase the craftsmanship that has lasted from centuries ago. You really do need to take a deep breath and pause and let the details reveal themselves to you as you soak it all in.

The dazzling medieval stained glass windows in the chapel are utterly beautiful but also deeply moving. I always feel that about stained glass in chapels and this was no different. It makes the light in the chapel so magical.

I think I can speak for the family when I say that the long stone hallways and cloistered walkways were one of our most favourite parts of the cathedral. There is such a peaceful rhythm of arches (and shadows), and you cannot help but wander literally and figuratively. We paused at every point possible to take in the view of the world. Everything is so serene and timeless, I could just sit and stare for hours!

We lingered for many many moments and when we finally left, we vowed to be back! The tickets also serve as an annual pass and that is a very sweet deal indeed. Leaving you with some sunshine that washed over us that day!

Wandering Through Broad Hembury: a village adventure in east Devon

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One of our most favourite things to do when we are on any holiday is to explore villages and walk them. The villages in England truly reward wandering and I love them for it!

There is nothing quite like appreciating a well-preserved, traditional English village on foot as you stop to admire the flowing rooflines, or the characteristic post office that boasts of every essential you need and greets you with the most open smiles, nodding in appreciation at how re-modelling has managed to retain what feels like a characteristic charm as you make your way to the village pub for a bite and drink. We ofcourse meander here and there, find some heathland or some woodland to explore but we always come back to the village streets for more.

And so not surprisingly, when we were in east Devon, we wanted to visit Broad Hembury. I had read of the hipped roofs that characterised many of the 16th-17th century cottages and the historic interest it has garnered over the years. We picked the iconic Drewe’s Arms as a landmark to park at and also knowing fully well that it would be our lunch spot too. When we drove through the beautiful Blackdown Hills, we knew we were in for a treat. Sometimes, you can just tell, miles away. 

And golly were we right! 

To be met by this beautiful array of cottages was just such ha lovely feeling. It was an overcast and sometimes drizzling too for all of our time here but these cob cottages just made it all so quaint and charming!


We do pick a route often and complete it though we often wander here and there. Some villages just reward wandering, don’t they? This was no different except that we never could quite figure out the entire trail so we just let ourselves be guided by whatever it is that caught our eye and there was plenty!

I find myself in the most unusual quandary when I am met by such houses – they are just so stunning and perfect, like they were just meant to be at that intersection. I want to capture them all because for that brief moment, I have captured it in my heart too and taken a moment to register it. But I also am aware how it maybe something that the residents may really despise. So, I waver between “to do or not to do” and sometimes go for it. I never regret it later though.

My camera reel is full of “jumping up and down on muddy puddles, splish splash splish splosh”. What are wellies for, anyway?

As we walked back, we found this beautiful church very close to where we had parked. Finding a church, a post office and a pub on a circular walk is my definition of having done a decent tour of the village as it so happens, they all lie at a similar spot often just like in this beautiful little village.

And so as we circled back, we found ourselves at Drewe’s Arms, the iconic village pub.

On a cold, drizzly, windy day, as you walk in with muddy boots and in all of your slightly drenched selves, this is the nook you want to settle into.

What an utterly fun day! Go in the sun, go in the rain – if you enjoy a sweet short village walk, this one is definitely a treat for your eyes and feet!

Christmas break in a tree house in Devon at Otterfalls

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Shel Silverstein knew what he was talking about when he wrote –

A treehouse, a freehouse,
A secret you and me house,
A high up in the leafy branches,
Cozy as can be house.

A street house, a neat house
Be sure and wipe your feet house
Is not my kind of house at all –
Let’s go live in a tree house.

Back when we lived in Singapore a few years ago, one of my absolute favourite walks was a treetop walk or just about anything where our feet was far off the ground. It didn’t matter much whether we were in a tree house because being up there, high up, where the world felt and sounded soft was enchanting. But those experiences have nourished the desire to live in a forest, ensconced in the leafy tree tops.

And we have inched closer to that dream of being closer to the sky and the tree top this Christmas when we spent a few days in east Devon in the beautiful Otterfalls. It is a house on stilts and the one we were lucky to be in was truly wrapped amidst trees and the kind of mystery that only wintery dusks and dawns when the world turns quiet and small in a silvery haze, bring. And if you were to go during Christmas, when the woodland is studded in fairy lights you are in wonderland.

As much as we are all forest children in the family, I have to say the experience of staying in a woodland went up a notch starting with the staff at the reception and housekeeping (we didn’t see them) who were absolutely lovely in their interactions but also followed it up with actions. When we arrived the tree house was immaculate, everything so thoughtfully done. It was spacious and cozy and the design, layout and fixtures made it extremely friendly.

One of our favourite feature/s was the window, all of them as they all brought the forest in and made sure we always remembered just how special a place and experience this was. It was so cold and also sometimes rainy when we went here but every corner of the treehouse was so toasty and the temperature so well controlled and maintained, it was these windows that reminded us we were here thick in the middle of winter!

Each child had their favourite parts of the house and K and I just shared them all.

For Ishoo, it was this bunk bed which also happened to be his first one! Many hours were spent perched up on top with us hopping on and off, refreshingly reminding us of what child-like fun is!
Mili spent all possible time out on the deck, overlooking the lake and the trees and the very many birds and squirrels that frequented in and around us. Not once did she bark, quietly taking it all in and perhaps realising what a world it must be to have birds constantly strutting around!
I started my mornings a bit earlier than the rest, soaking in the lull around me interjected with the pitter patter of raindrops or the call of the birds around. It was and felt magical.

There is so much to explore around the cabins and that is what we loved about the whole set-up. You could stay put and go no where but just around and experience the joy of being immersed in nature.

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The ducks and geese were very much used to people and perhaps people with food for them (which we unfortunately did not have!) and then followed Ishoo just about everywhere. He was only too thrilled with the prospect of being so popular while Mili wondered why they played so hard to get with her!

The doggie play park is just another experience and highlight altogether. It was such a glorious, open and fenced spot for doggies. We love such inclusive holiday spots so much – where there is something for all and enough thought has been poured into it. It was after all a woodland and doggies will be absolutely fine but to have a dedicated space with activities and ramps for them just speaks oodles of the care that has gone in.

One of my favourite parts about a holiday is how I feel when I go to bed. It is such a small thing but I hold that moment so close and someday will articulate what about it makes it so special. We’d watch episodes of Bing Bang Theory, get incredibly busy with play-doh or poke boards and sleep with a smile knowing we could do it all again the next day.

A Mangalore ghee cake for K (and us)

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For K’s birthday, I made a cake with all things he likes – vanilla, extremely important; ghee and lots of it, a little different from the usual butter; a single flavour sponge that is simple, elegant and without too much sweetness. And a Mangalore ghee cake which I had been wanting to try for a long time now fitted this perfectly. I also wanted to bake him something different from the usual favourites I make for him: carrot cake without frosting, Victorian sponge with frosting ofcourse or a coffee cake (we love Anita’s @a_madteaparty coffee cake a lot!) and this turned out lovely – spongy, not too sweet at all and can definitely tell the ghee.

I followed Jason’s recipe, just used lesser egg. I have never had a Mangalore ghee cake so I will wait to try one before saying how alike they taste but I loved this version and texture and even Ishoo who rarely eats cakes or sweets, liked this enough to eat two small slices. Also equally important when baking birthday cakes is they HAVE to be Mili friendly. She is the first to appear for cake cutting anyway, even before the cake is rested on the table. To top it all, this cake matched what Ishoo wanted for his papa – a brown, white, vanleela cake!

Ishoo’s sticker and its magic

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You are looking at the first chilli that arrived this season on a plant that was not doing so well to start with. We had just transplanted it when it soon started having white bugs on the leaves and the leaves started to show signs of wilting. I did my usual and my only form of remediation really, with the neem spray and keeping a close watch. One thing that my few years in the garden and more years with children have taught me is to persist and hold on. I hold on with hope but sometimes you need a different kind of faith and magic to turn things around and that was Ishoo’s sticker. When the plant stood as tall as it could and we were talking about how it is being brave, even with a boo-boo, Ishoo slapped a sticker on the soil and said “well done, chilli plant”. And of all the chilli plants in the garden, this little fellow produced the first chilli and promises more. It has rained a few times, we have watered the plant everyday and the sun has been ablaze, but the sticker has stayed put and continues to do its magic since the day a little boy heaped a tender heartfelt praise for this chilli plant.

An autumnal long weekend in Cotswolds: breakfast and a few moments in Bourton on the Water

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Following on from where we left off, we drove to Bourton on the Water for breakfast at Croft, by the riverside. I had Belgian waffles with berry compote and dairy free yoghurt while K had some egg Florentine.

We have been to Bourton on the water few years ago with a friend and this is what I remembered of it – lovely walks by the river and endless coffees. It is such a different feeling going to the same place with two littles in tow. We absolutely soaked up the golden sun that morning and walked until we stumbled on a farmers’ market!

The streets were super colourful and cheerful, it felt like everyone was out celebrating the sun!

An autumnal long weekend in Cotswolds: Lower Slaughter

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I was looking for tiny quaint villages in the the north of Cotswolds, villages that are really small and not big market towns and definitely ones we had never visited until then. That is how I stumbled on Lower and Upper Slaughter, the twin villages about a couple of miles away from the more popular Bourton on the Water. And ofcourse, the fact that registered with me is how the word Slaughter came up – definitely nothing to do with slaughtering, it is derived from the old English word “slothre” that means “muddy place” which I can assure you along with every other article on the internet, it most certainly is not.

What it is though, is ethereal.

My research had told me of how scanty parking space is and all of my searches only threw up one road near the Manor House and said there are only a few spots available. And so we found ourselves there at 8 in the morning, with just one or two joggers who were residents, in sight. Bliss.

We parked by a stream that I later realised is the river Eye that runs through the village and was potentially the source of “muddy” banks. It really looks like a stream though it is a river. Walking along the river is one of the most memorable highlights of our entire trip.

I was in love with those beautiful stone foot bridges! You will find a couple as you walk along.

To watch the reflection in that pristine glass like water as we (read: I) tried to be as quiet as possible because I wanted to break into a song and announce to the world of how much beauty there is to be discovered all around us! I am sure the residents would not take too kindly to it, so I was on my best behaviour.

As you start walking further up along Copse Hill road which according to some of the sources has been voted the prettiest road in Britain, you cannot help falling in love with this beautiful village but also wonder how the residents must feel when it gets all busy with tourists. It is not easy being a resident in picturesque towns, is it?

I was really mesmerised by this style of stone houses – hundreds of homes across Cotswolds built in this distinctive style with Cotswold stone. This must have been so time consuming to build and yet stands tall and strong to this day!
I was trying to read more about how these stones are formed (makes for a fascinating read, especially so when you are procrastinating on something) and I stumbled on these words by J. B. Priestley who wrote of Cotswold stone that – “the truth is that it has no colour that can be described. Even when the sun is obscured and the light is cold, these walls are still faintly warm and luminous, as if they knew the trick of keeping the lost sunlight of centuries glimmering about them.” 

As you walk along, you will reach the unmissable Old Mill with its trade mark red brick tower and the water wheel.

If you just turn around, you will walk into this charming little horse trailer that doubles as the delightful mobile coffee van and sells some delicious coffee and pastries. What warmed my heart was they have doggie treat and smoothies for the infants/toddlers all served with a smile by the thoughtful owner.

We kept walking further up and had the most peaceful town to savour that morning.

We were peckish and decided to turn back and try the beautiful Manorhouse for breakfast but unfortunately it was only open to residents so we just had a quick look around and decided to head to Bourton on the Water for some breakfast and explore the market centre. All of that in my next one!

An autumnal long weekend in Cotswolds: Castle Combe, a photo essay

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I am always blown away by how beautiful Cotswolds is. Quaint, charming, idyllic, oddly familiar from the books and movies you watched and imagined a place to be, and ofcourse, incredibly picturesque. I had read of Castle Combe’s charm a few times I looked up the villages to be at in North Cotswolds so we had to make a trip there and am so so happy we did. It is a tiny town, nestled most rightfully within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The chocolate box village is characterized by its honey-hued Cotswold stone cottages, some dating back to the 12th century. These quaint buildings line the narrow, winding streets and everything looks right out of a fairy tale. I later read that possibly, no new houses have been built in this historic centre of the village since about 1600.

We parked atop the hill in the visitor’s car park and it is such a lovely walk down to the village with the autumnal colours transforming the landscape into a tapestry of oranges and gold!

I always wonder how the people residing here must feel, having tourist stare admiringly at the streets, their houses, taking pictures and soaking what is often referred to as one of the prettiest villages in England. It must not be easy 🙂

Within a few steps, we were met by the beautiful Bybrook river flowing gracefully through the heart of the town and beautifully highlights the stunning Cotswold stone cottages against that rich backdrop that no phot can truly capture.

While Castle Combe gets its name from the castle, I am told that nothing much remains of it so we didn’t really explore anything beyond the heart of the town and its quaint streets which while not totally empty didn’t really have many tourists that day.

We were utterly famished when we stepped into the Castle Inn late that afternoon. It is at such a fantastic location for visitors to have a nice stroll and then step in for a meal or drink. I had a super delicious rosti with portobello mushroom, cavolo Nero (my first of the season), cheese topped with an egg – it was just so good! We shared a panna cotta served with a yummy Garibaldi biscuit.

We did another small walk near the square and headed back, happily full from this beautiful village, a feast for all senses.

An autumnal long weekend in Cotswolds I: A photo essay of our home away

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When we decided to go away for a surprise weekend away with the littles in Cotswolds, I knew we wanted to stay in a home. It is my preferred way of holidaying these days, especially after Mili and Ishaan have come into our lives. Don’t get me wrong, I love me a good buffet breakfast and a midnight room service and not having to do the dishes. But I more love the prospect of being in a place that someone made a home of, the idea of cooking in a new kitchen and whipping utterly simple meals with local produce, the thought of waking up to someone else’ garden views, the joy of sometimes making friends with a new temporary neighbour and the absolutely divine feeling of having figured how the places come together on your last day of the trip when roads to your home away from home, start to feel familiar. But most importantly, I love how someone else thinks of what a home should be like for a stranger who has chosen to stay at theirs and pour their thoughtfulness into it, in the small corners that bring the living room together, in the fireplace that smells of yours, in the kitchen that overlooks the road where the horses clippety clop away at about 7:30 in the morning as you brew your coffee, in the extremely well positioned baskets with blankets that always seem to be within your arms’ reach and the open spaces that let your crowded mind relax.

We stayed at the beautiful Daylesford cottage in Barton on Heath, very close to Moreton on Marsh, a part of north Cotswolds we had never been to. Here is what greeted us on arrival.

Details: https://www.daylesfordcottage.co.uk/about . We booked via https://www.airbnb.co.uk

Farmers’ market finds from last week

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I really miss taking pictures of farmers’ market finds. So here is the latest one. The purple cauli is absolutely lovely, a bit sweeter and on cooking becomes a little chewy (not in a draggy way but just different from a white cauliflower). The peaches and nectarines have arrived as have some delicious tender marrows (love a light pan fry on them with a knob if butter). I have to make @d.srujan peach salsa. I haven’t grown broad beans for 2 years now but it feels lovely to bring some fresh ones home and look up an interesting way to cook them. This time, we found enticing litchis and they have lived up to our imagination. We are big litchi lovers here, such a beautiful flavour profile it has so we buy over priced ones from super markets often so this was a nice surprise. I always pick oyster mushrooms because they are delightful in Kodava kumme curry so everytime we bring them, it is a default dish with piping hot rice. Tender cucumbers for Ishaan, snap peas for Mili always. I love this trip so much, it is also a trip I absolutely dislike being rushed so if I go to a farmers’ market it is always with enough time to admire every produce. I start with a pragmatic mind that leaves me 5 minutes in, as I throw the last bit of restraint whatsoever far far away and chug the growing cart in absolute glee. Thank God for fresh produce and families that recognise you with a smile.
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