Are you thinking about relocating to Bali? Whether you're considering a move to this tropical paradise for a few months or planning a long-term stay, there’s a lot to think about before you pack your bags. Having recently made the move to Bali with my family of four, I know firsthand how overwhelming the process can be. From navigating visas to finding the right accommodation and understanding local culture, there’s a lot to get right before you go. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to do it alone! To help make your planning easier, I’m sharing the exact checklist we used  before our family made the move to Bali. And the best part? It’s completely free! Why You Need This Checklist Relocating to a foreign country can be a bit like solving a giant puzzle. There are so many moving parts, and it’s easy to forget something important if you're not organized (especial;y with kids!). This checklist is designed to take the overwhelm and stress out of the planning process by providing a step-by-step guide to help you with your planning research to separate the logistical things to think about / plan and research before making your move: Prepare financially Sort out your visas Find accommodation Sort out your health and safety Set up practical essentials Plan for your family What’s Inside the Checklist? This easy-to-follow, printable PDF is packed with all the essential tasks we completed before our move. You can print off the guide to tick off with a pen if you're a pen and paper person. Or I've made the checklist so that it's usable on a device to be able to tick off the items digitally and write in the notes and address sections of the PDF. How This Checklist Will Save You Time and Stress When we were in the planning stages of our move to Bali, there was a lot to keep track of. We took a month long holiday to make sure the move was right for us. It wasn’t just about booking flights and finding a place to stay; it was about making sure we were prepared for life in a completely different culture, with new rules, new systems, and a new language. By following this checklist, we managed to stay on top of everything and avoid common pitfalls that could have set us back. We felt much more confident walking into our new life in Bali knowing we had ticked all the necessary boxes beforehand. Download Your FREE Bali Relocation Checklist Now! If you're ready to take the plunge and make your Bali dream a reality, don't go it alone! Download our free digital checklist PDF  today and make your relocation planning easier and stress-free. Simply click the link below to get instant access to your copy: Download Your Bali Relocation Checklist Final Thoughts Moving to Bali can be one of the most exciting adventures of your life. We're almost 6 months into our adventure and it's been the best thing we did. We are due to head back to the UK to complete on the sale of our house now that we 100% know that Bali is a place that we could make our home. Follow my YouTube Channel where I'll be documenting this next stage of our journey. Kind of like moving to Bali all over again bit this time with a sureness in our hearts, because the first time around, we were so unsure about EVERYTHING. Now we've lived and experienced it first hand we are completely selling up in the UK to make Bali our forever home. Initially we'd thought of it as a 1-2 year plan. Whether you’re chasing the perfect work-life balance, looking to start a new business, or simply dreaming of living in paradise, this checklist will help you turn that dream into a smooth and successful reality. We wish you all the best in your journey to Bali! Let this checklist be your guide to an easy, stress-free move. In the meantime don't forget to keep up with our daily Bali life updates on social media below. Follow us on Instagram: On YouTube: And always leave a comment below if this page has helped you.  I only write and share stuff on the blog to help you. So let me know. Does it help? Did you get something from it? And what do you want to know going forward? I am at your service, Fletchy McFletchface xx

In the meantime keep up with our daily updates on social media below. And let me know if there is anything specific you would like me to cover on the blog about our Bali life. Follow us on Instagram: On YouTube: And always leave a comment below if this page has helped you.  I only write and share stuff on the blog to help you. So let me know. Does it help? Did you get something from it? And what do you want to know going forward? I am at your service, Fletchy McFletchface xx

21 Must-Do Things in Ibiza, Spain A Sun-Soaked Guide to Beaches, Beats, and Boho Bliss Ibiza is world-famous for its legendary parties, but there’s so much more to this Balearic beauty — think turquoise coves, ancient towns, hippie markets, and tranquil countryside. Whether you're here to dance all night or detox in the sun, these 21 unforgettable experiences  will show you the many sides of Ibiza. Beach & Nature Lovers 1. Swim in the turquoise waters of Cala Comte Arguably the island’s most beautiful beach — perfect for crystal-clear water, soft sand, and a famous sunset. 2. Hike to Atlantis (Sa Pedrera) Discover this mystical cove filled with stone carvings, natural pools, and boho energy. It’s a steep climb down but totally worth it. 3. Watch the sunset at Es Vedrà Viewpoint This mythical rock formation is one of the most iconic views in Ibiza — magical at golden hour. 4. Relax at Cala Saladeta A smaller cove near San Antonio, known for its calm, Caribbean-like waters and cliffs perfect for a picnic. 5. Explore the natural pools of Punta Galera Flat rock platforms, clear water, and a relaxed vibe — this hidden spot is a favourite for sunset yoga and cliff jumping. Party & Nightlife 6. Dance the night away at Pacha Ibiza The island’s oldest superclub is still going strong — glam, legendary, and full of house music history. 7. Experience a beach party at Ushuaïa Catch world-famous DJs like David Guetta or Calvin Harris in a poolside, open-air setting before sunset. 8. Watch the sunset drum circle at Benirrás Beach (Sundays) A truly unique Ibiza tradition — bongos, barefoot dancing, and a glowing Mediterranean sky. 9. Pre-game at Café Mambo in San Antonio Grab a cocktail and watch the sunset before heading out to the clubs — a rite of passage for first-time visitors. 10. Go on a boat party Spend the afternoon sailing, swimming, and dancing on the deck — drinks included, music pumping. Boho & Wellness Vibes 11. Shop at the Las Dalias Hippie Market A coluorful maze of artisan goods, handmade jewellery, and boho fashion — with live music and food stalls to match. 12. Practice yoga overlooking the sea Join a beachfront yoga class in the morning mist or at a clifftop retreat near Santa Eulalia or San Juan. 13. Visit the spiritual village of Santa Gertrudis Full of slow-living charm, art galleries, and organic eateries — perfect for a peaceful afternoon. Culture & History 14. Wander through Dalt Vila (Old Town Ibiza) A UNESCO World Heritage Site — climb cobbled streets, explore ancient walls, and get panoramic views over the marina. 15. Visit the Ibiza Cathedral At the top of Dalt Vila, this 14th-century cathedral offers peace, beauty, and incredible sea views. 16. Explore the Phoenician ruins of Sa Caleta These coastal ruins give a glimpse into Ibiza’s early settlers — history with a seaside backdrop. 17. Check out local art at the Contemporary Art Museum of Ibiza (MACE) Housed in a modern-meets-ancient building within the old town — great for a culture fix between beach days. Adventure & Exploration 18. Take a day trip to Formentera Ibiza’s laid-back little sister is a 30-minute ferry away — think white sand, crystal waters, and bicycles over clubs. 19. Rent a scooter and road trip the island Explore hidden beaches, coastal roads, and inland villages at your own pace — total freedom. 20. Kayak or paddleboard to secret coves Rent a SUP or kayak from Cala Xarraca or Cala Llonga to discover tucked-away beaches and sea caves. 21. Hike the coastal trail from Cala Llonga to Sol d’en Serra This scenic coastal path leads to one of Ibiza’s best beach clubs — a mix of nature, exercise, and reward. Tips for You When to go : May–October is ideal; July–August is party peak, but May/September offer the best balance. How to get around : Rent a scooter or car to fully explore — buses are limited outside major towns. Stay : San Antonio for nightlife, Ibiza Town for charm, Santa Eulalia or the north for tranquility.

The Firehouse Manchester, a cool exterior I had visited Ramona, set just of Great Ancoats st in Manchester a bit back, on a day out with our Lil, she wanted pizza and I had seen that they offered Detroit style pizza, my interest was piqued, so we headed in after a day out shopping around the Northern Quarter. The thick doughy bases and grilled cheese toppings were just what I needed. So When I saw that the team behind Ramona were opening a new venue, alongside Ramona, again my interest was sparked, even more so, when I checked online and their soft launch week coincided with a day out in Manchester I had planned with a friend. To then check the socials and see that they had 50% off food and drink for the first week. I literally couldn’t book it fast enough. An even cooler interior I booked a mid afternoon slot on a Sunny Thursday. We headed in. I knew from my visit to Ramona that these guys did stuff well. The mainly outside space of Ramona is well done, stylish and cool. The Firehouse, I have to say, is even more well done. It’s set in an old MOT station, the garage feels are still there, with the corrugated roofs, bare brick, roller shutters and remnants of the old machinery used to lift cars and shit. In all honesty, I don’t know what the old machinery did, but it looks cool. The venue has high ceilings, the walls have been roughly whitewashed, it’s briggt, light and airy and has a super cool, but relaxed feel. It’s a strange way to describe it, but it doesn’t feel like you are in the middle of Manchester here, or even the UK. I don’t know why, but it has a kind of holiday feel to it. I really don’t know why, but it does and that’s a good thing, very good. I’ve actually never been to New York… It’s on the list, but I imagine it’s what it feels like in a cool New York venue, but not a regular one. A hip one, that only the cool people know about. Where all of the best people go. Kids, small to large. All happy with their food choices Now, this post is going to take a bit of a turn, simply because I liked the firehouse so much that I booked it again. My oldest, Joe was back over from Barcelona later that week, so because I enjoyed myself, I booked it again for the full family. So, this post will kind of combine the two. It can be tricky finding somewhere to go and eat that a whole family likes. Mum and Dads like a cool vibey place, so does Lil, but she’s a teenager, so what she likes can change dependant on something, I don’t know what. Anything, the moon, the wind, whatever really. Bertie just wants wifi and his food serving quick. Joe is cool as fuck and so he wants that on a plate. We all settled down, we were seated quickly and efficiently. I had been before, so knew what to expect. Clare was suitably impressed with my recommendation. The kids were happy, Joe was late, as usual, but when he got in, he simply said “it’s cool in here innit”. High praise indeed from the all black, little hat wearing techno boy. Tender meat and a lush green salad The food is grill based, with a peri peri chicken cooked over a flame kind of vibe. You choose your chicken, either a leg, breast or half chicken. Then you choose your pittas, which are fresh, super fluffy and baked in house, then you add your sides. It all comes out and you get stuck in and you crack on. It’s a simple concept that works. It works because it’s well done. So often, simple food gets cocked up by restaurants being a bit shit, but not here. Everything is cooked well, served well in a venue that’s done well. We went for a half chicken, a fair few pittas and between our few visits we’ve tried all of the sides. Our personal faves are the house salad. We do love a good salad and the crushed roast fingerling potatoes. I don’t think you’d get a top food critic describing them like this, but I’m not a top food critic, so I’m going to say it. They are fit, well fit in fact. Roast potatoes, nice and crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside. Just the right balance of the 2 parts. The magic comes in the truffle mayonnaise that they are drizzled with. It’s the shit, it really is. On our first visit, we only got one portion and honestly, it kicked off. Everyone wanted more, so we had to get more. Big boy Joe is always missed and loved. The choice of desserts is simple, it’s basically a baked chocolate pudding with ice cream. Or ice cream. Be warned if you’ve still got any room left, the pudding will finish you off (that sounds wrong, I know). It’s super rich. It’s like a giant brownie covered in candied peanuts and salted caramel sauce. The kids were initially moaning when I told them they should share, but they soon shut up, when the food coma kicked in after only a few mouthfuls. I’ve been a few times for food, we also really love the place for a night out, read our nightime review of The Firehouse here. Everytime I’ve been, it’s been great. I have since found out, that they’ve added some new items to the menu and I’ve also got a cheeky eye on their Sunday roasts, so it’s going to be hard but I’m going to have to book it again.

What are the best cafes in Uppermill? We take a look at all of the good Uppermill coffee shops in our series to find the best coffee houses. There is no shortage of coffee shops and cafe's in Uppermill or the Saddleworth area. In fact Uppermill is getting a bit of a reputation for itself as the coffee capital of Saddleworth, with new one's being proposed via planning application as we speak. There are many Uppermill coffee shops to choose from in Uppermill and the whole Saddleworth area in general. And our hunt for good coffee shops is a global love affair. Every place we travel to starts with coffee. Good coffee. Great vibes. We've had coffee in some of the best coffee shops in the world: watching the world go by at Les Deux Magots in Paris to people watching at Cafe Central in Vienna. And we're going to blog about them in this section. A dedicated coffee shop blog (section). As we get ready to sell our house and embark on a round the world trip with our kids, we're taking in all that's good in our local area, before we go and blog about it here. A kind of farewell to everything we've known and also a little helping guide for readers visiting the area, looking for good places to go. The hunt for good coffee, starts at our local coffee shop Abaco Uppermill. This is our review on Caffe Grande Abaco. Italian vibes, Cocktails, craft IPA's and more. A pretty standard scene for us on the weekend when we're in the UK. Coffee in Uppermill, IPA and cake at Abaco Uppermill We had to start our Hunt for good coffee section of this blog, with our local Uppermill coffee shop. Abaco Uppermill - We like to go here regularly, as a couple on a date night, with the kids and with friends. That’s one of the things that makes it so good. It’s more than just a coffee shop. It's versatile. With a good vibe across all boards. Café Grande Abaco is on our local Village of Uppermill, Saddleworth. It is one of many great cafes in Uppermill. It's a coffee shop, deli, wine bar and has that most important thing of all a good “feel”. It’s just got a good vibe and it works. It was originally called Java, the kids still call it Java, refusing to acknowledge the rebrand in one of their own little protests. Stubborn little things aren’t they. Originally it was set on the ground floor and lower ground floor, it has grown to have an additional 2 floors above and a deli shop over the road. Some going that, considering we’ve had credit crunches and lockdowns over the last few decades. It is doing amazingly well and is a testament to the owners that they have expanded massively but it’s not lost any of it’s charm. Abaco Uppermill coffee shops - We picked a good spot at the window on the 2nd floor. A good spot to watch the day go by and catch some rays. Just down below around the corner you'll see Uppermill Park Abaco Uppermill is Inspired by stylish Italian coffee houses, the type that border bustling marketplaces and colonnaded piazzas. Now Uppermill isn’t quite the back streets of Rome, but with Abaco's style, it feels pretty close. The décor is well done, with lots of marble, dark woods and their signature orange branding the downstairs two floors feel very compact and cosy, with the newer upstairs rooms feeling a bit more open and spacious, but still cosy. It has a great atmosphere and is always bustling. This is what makes it great to take the kids to. A bit of background noise is never a bad thing, especially when you have a boy that forgets he has headphones on, whilst using his Ipad and responds to any question with shouts instead of talking as he forgets he has headphones on. It’s just easier when the kids can chat and not worry about sounding like a foghorn in a quiet coffee shop. Each floor is a good to spend time on, we love to get a window seat upstairs and watch the world go by. There’s always someone to have a chat and a catch up with too. Abaco Uppermill. Good for drinks & nibbles with friends Or even for a date night with cocktails for two It has a fantastic outdoor courtyard area, on the front area, adding to the continental feel. It has retractable awnings and also a good amount of patio heaters, so it’s good for all seasons and also in the UK where spring evenings can still get a bit chilly. This does get very, very busy out here particularly on a summer day. On warm days it will be full with a mix of people, locals stopping by, cyclists taking on some calories before tackling the local hills, dog walkers and ladies who lunch so it’s great for people watching too. It’s full but there’s usually not much of a wait as it can be pretty fast paced as you have groups just stopping by for a quick coffee. Weekend nights in summer can also see local musicians performing in the courtyard. I’m not usually a fan of this, but we have seen a couple here that have been pretty good. They also have regular themed nights, usually based around a specific countries food and culture, such as Greek night, Italian night etc. These see speciality dishes added to the menu and regional drinks served. Sitting outside in the sun, with good company, good food & drink. The coffee is good and oh my days, hallelujah, it is served in proper cups, not glasses, which is always a massive plus for us. They use their own blend, which is nice and strong, but not overpowering. Their mission statement is “la nostra passione’ l’arte dell’espresso, or “our passion is the art of espresso”. Sounds good to me in either language. The baristas are always well trained and always make a good coffee. Consistency is key for me in a coffee shop and they get it right. They even use milk sourced locally from the next village along. The kids love the hot chocolates or sometimes a Chai latte… Dependant on their mood. A flat white & the Abaco signature cake. Mandorla Chocolate brownie. They have a matching candle in this fragrance that makes the home smell good enough to eat! They have a great wine selection, their own IPA on draught and a good choice of cocktails. The menu is Mediterranean inspired, so has a choice of pizzas, salads and more. The sharing platters are the go to, for groups of locals and tourists alike. The cakes are really good, we recommend the Mandorla, which is their speciality desert. It’s a sticky chocolate brownie, with almonds and some super addictive sticky figs on the top. Wanting the platter more than the photo We love to go for breakfast too, a good coffee and an eggs Benedict always hit the spot. There’s been days when we’ve literally spent nearly the whole day in here. A bit of brunch can easily turn into a few lunchtime drinks. I’ve met a fried for lunch and drinks, that turned into an afternoon of drinks, with tea and then still being there as they closed up. It really has that good a vibe to it. Cocktails & people watching. Perfect. The service is fast and friendly and the kids love the good wifi. Honestly, if you’re ever local to Saddleworth, then it’s well worth popping in and enjoying the vibe. It does get busy and they’ve recently opened up a booking system, instead of walk ins only. So, I would recommend booking, especially on a sunny weekend. If you do go, let us know. We might even be in there, if so and it’s before midday, mines a double espresso, if it’s after 12, then I’ll have an IPA. Some of the other uppermill coffee shops include: Kobe Coffee Shop Weaver & Wilde Coffee Shop Saints Coffee Shop Before we go on our world travel adventure (read the about us section) we're sampling everything that our local area has to offer and we look forward to visiting Kobe coffee Uppermill next on our tour & reviews of cafes in Uppermill / coffee shops. But first we're in Dubrovnik. We really hope you enjoyed reading. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter to follow our round the world trip adventures / progress. And say hi by following us on social media. Especially if you're local to Oldham / Uppermill. Give us a wave!!!

From our recent family backpacking trip around Thailand - island hopping - we found the best beach on the island of Koh Tao (Turtle Island) The whole of Koh Tao island in Thailand, is simply beautiful. And we must point out here - there is no bad beach on Ko Tao. You will find many beautiful beaches on Koh Tao. Every blink you take in any direction could be a picture postcard. The diving is simply wonderful on the island of Koh Tao, in fact many people come just for the diving and we had the pleasure of diving with a green turtle on our last dive, which was magical. On Koh Tao, the beach vibe is less touristy than it's sister islands of Koh Samui & Koh Phangan - which is what we love about Koh Tao. When I talk about beaches, the below are our personal favourites as a family of 5 that like the chill life. So what is the best beach on koh tao? This is our families pick of the best beaches on Koh Tao , our favourite beaches for different reasons and the BEST beach that we think you’ll love too. 1. Freedom Beach – The best beach in Thailand - everybody has their favourite beaches where you find a vibe. And for us this was at Freedom Beach Koh Tao. But it has to be said that there are so many beaches on Koh Tao, every beach could be considered 'the best beach'! Freedom Beach is on the south coast of Koh Tao this is our all time favourite beach on Koh Tao... and quite possibly the whole of Thailand!!! I know, I know, this is bold. It's set on a private beach so is very secluded and quiet. Soft white sands, shallow crystal clear calm waters and trees for shade (that we like to climb and dangle off). There is also a shallow reef to snorkel with the kids not too far out with lot’s of fish to see. The fact that it’s so quiet here means that you can chill as parents without worrying about dangers of the kids playing out of sight. It really felt like I could relax and read a few pages on my book here. Which let’s face it, doesn’t really happen with kids does it. There is only one wooden restaurant to the side. The John – Suwan Viewpoint is nearby if you fancy a walk. From Freedom Beach you can see Hin Tao Toh (Buddha Rock) a group of boulders that look like a buddha and believed to be ‘spirit rocks’, worshipped & treated with respect by the locals. 2. Shark Bay (Thiang Og Bay) – A private bay with wide beach with super soft beautiful white sands & coconut tree shade and luxury resorts. It’s quiet and laid back pace , and you may see green turtles and Blacktip Reef Sharks. In fact it's really common to see turtles here. We have snorkelled within metres from a majestic green turtle, and she was huge, peaceful and magnificent, blinking as she went about her business. 3. Sairee Beach – On the west coast of Koh Tao, it’s the longest and most developed on Koh Tao with a wide choice of accommodation, hotels of all budgets, restaurants, cafes and bars. It’s ideal for families and children as it’s very sandy with shallow waters and coral reef very close to the shore. Sairee beach has a vibrant atmosphere with lots of places to eat & drink of an evening. Sit at a beach bar in the evening as the sun sets with twinkly lights all around you watching the kids play on the beach. Bliss. Next time we visit, we want to stay at Koh Tao Cabana . Check out our Koh Tao with kids post for more beach bum & island life info. Koh Nang Yuan Island 4. Koh Nang Yuan Island - Not on Koh Tao but very close by. A must see if you're on Koh Tao. This is the perhaps the most famous Koh Nang Yuan viewpoint on the neighbouring island (Nang Yuan Island). You'll probably have seen this all over social media. Nang Yuan Island is actually a set of three small islands, with crystal clear waters, separated by a sand bar - can we just appreciate those views for a few seconds. To get to Nang Yuan Island you can hire a boat on your own or hire an excursion on Koh Tao that can take you. And spend the day there. The beach here is simply wow. A Longtail boat will cost around 200-300 baht £5 return per adult (kids are free) from Sairee Beach. Plus 200 baht / £4.50 entry to the island. It's worth it because it's so pretty. It takes around 15 minutes to get to the top and we recommend going early to avoid the crowds as it gets v busy up there. 5. Chalok Baan Kao Beach – Whilst not Koh Tao 's best beach, it's location is good to get to many beautiful beaches with a short walk. The beach here slopes down gently into shallow water so it’s ideal for families with children. You can walk easily to Freedom Beach and Shark Bay from here (our favourite beaches on Koh Tao). It’s not that good for snorkelling, but it’s got everything your family might need. Our hotel was based here on our last stay and it was handy to have access to a pharmacy, 7-eleven store as well as a wide choice of restaurants / bars. On our next visit to Koh Tao we want to stay at Taa Toh Seaview Resort at Chalok. How to get to the best beaches in Koh Tao Thailand? Koh Tao lies in The Gulf of Thailand and is easily accessible from anywhere in Thailand. You will always need to get to the island by sea of course. But from where you depart, there are many options. If you are coming from another island, you will of course get the ferry over by Lomprayah High Speed Ferries. The ferry across from Koh Samui to Koh Tao for example. The ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Tao Mae Haad Pier costs around 600 baht per person (£13) and takes around 1.5 hours. Or you can come straight from Bangkok by taking an overnight train to Chumpon, then a bus to the pier, and then the ferry onto the beautiful island of Koh Tao. How long ferry Koh Samui to Koh Tao? 1.5 hours to 3 hours depending on season and sea. Here's a handy link for you to check out current ferry prices / times These are our favourite best beaches on the beautiful island of Koh Tao, but Koh Tao is part of the Ang Thong Marine National Park (a protected area) you are spoiled for choice on the number and beauty of beaches. There are over 42 islands spread over the Ang Thong Marine Park altogether. Each boasting their own unique beautiful bays and beaches to explore. Our favourite beaches in Thailand are on Koh Tao & Lombok. Lombok post coming soon. We can not wait to re-visit Koh Tao again! If you liked this post, don't forget to sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date with our island life. And follow our socials below to stay in touch.

It wasn’t long before I was back to the B - Berlin. Heading out again for a January gig at the amazing Watergate nightclub. This is the best club in Berlin. Ich liebe es. The Berlin wall. Iconic This time it was a bit of a dream come true gig as I was playing at one of Berlins best - the very club we had visited previously, Watergate Berlin here we come. I flew out with my bestie Matt. We flew Manchester (UK) to Berlin on 2nd January, which is the day after Matt’s Birthday, so it was a good excuse for a celebration. It was an early morning start, Matt picked me up and we headed into Manchester via the “back way”. Matt’s driving is interesting to say the least, especially when he has a flight to catch and in the icy early morning, this certainly woke me up. Car ditched in Manchester we jumped on the train and hit the airport. I had my records in my hand luggage so had to make it look like my bag was well within the allowed “small bag” remit, even though it was packed with vinyl and weighed about half a ton. We landed in Berlin, jumped on the S-Bahn and headed into the city, which is a quick 25 minute hop, then over to the East side gallery area. So much to see and so much (recent) history It’s a cool area bordering the Spree and in the heart of the Friedrichshain/Kreuzberg area. It’s home to the longest remaining area of the actual Berlin wall and showcases the graffiti styler murals over a 1316 metre long stretch of wall, painted mostly on what was the East side of the wall. We stayed in the Meininger hotel, which is looks over the wall and the Spree, so it’s a great location. The hotel is cool, it’s super modern, rooms are the size that you would expect from a city centre hotel, so not huge, but really all you need. Bathrooms are really nicely done, with a mirror that makes you look nice… Which is important , lt’s not be scared to admit that ;o) Selecting some magic to drop at The Best Club in the World - OK Berlin. We dropped our bags and set off on a wander. The streets were still littered with Champagne bottles and fireworks from the New Years eve impromptu street parties, we were after hunting out some nice brunch. We walked past a dark, smoky doorway, which had a nice beat banging out, now bear in mind that this was the 2nd of January, Matt was shocked that a club would be open again the day after New Years Day and that early in the morning, he was even more shocked when I explained that it was actually still open from New Years eve… Welcome to Berlin. We spent the day wandering around Kreuzberg, a few beers and some Mexican food later we were starting to feel sleepy. I was DJ ing that night, so as it started to snow we decided to head back and get a disco nap. I love an afternoon snooze and it’s defo one of my top tips for travelling, especially on a city break where you want to maximise daylight and night time hours. A quick power-nap does wonders. Feeling refreshed it was time to head out, I was starting to feel giddy now. No matter how many times I’ve DJ’d, I still get a bit nervous, it’s a good nervous and I think it’s healthy. People are paying good money to see you, so you should be respectful of that, which when you think of it like that, yeah… It get’s the stomach churning a little. I always want to do the best that I can, so as long as I’ve prepped, packed the right records, practiced and got myself in the zone, it’s all good. We grabbed a quick burger at a place that’s a bit of a Berlin institution. Burger Meister has 3 different locations in the city, but the original and most vibe-y is the Schlesisches Tor one. It’s based in an old public toilet, in the middle of a busy roundabout, under an even busier U-Bahn line, it’s dark, crowded and noisy. It shouldn’t work, but it really does. It’s just so Berlin. We grabbed a beer then headed to the club. Burgermeister.... So Berlin It’s always a strange feeling when you are involved with running club nights. You get to see a side of a club that not many people do. Before anyone arrives, when there’s no music on, no crowds and the bar staff setting up, it can feel a little surreal. This was emphasised by the Watergate décor, it’s kind of like when you watch an old 70’s scifi movie and they predict what the future would look like, but never did. Kind of eighties vibes, with fluorescent lights and angular leather sofas. It looks modern, but dated, but so, so cool. The water floor, Watergate. Such an amazing place to play house music Now if you have ever ventured out in the UK,or most places for that matter after the fuss of New Years Eve has died down, you’ll know that it’s like a ghost town. Clubs in the UK tend to shut down for the whole of January as anything after midnight on the 31st is just pretty pointless, it’s dead, tumbleweed town, everyones skint and hibernating….. But this is Berlin, they do things differently. From the minute the doors opened a steady Stream of eager punters flooded down the stairs. A good mix of stylish locals, cool kids and serious music peeps, some dressed up and fresh… Others still clearly on it from the end of the previous year…. Strong going that. I still get chufties seeing my name on posters + flyers. The night was warming up nicely and the crowd was already really enjoying themselves. They take their fun seriously in Berlin and because of this, phones are banned on the dance floor. It really does make such a difference, people are there to dance, no one is stood around texting, scrolling or taking selfies and the atmosphere really benefits. It’s like clubbing used to be, so much so that there’s a technique needed to get through the constantly moving, dancing bodies in the club and a piece of advice I always give to newbies that are trying to navigate their way through a packed dance floor is “Don’t walk…. Bob”, you’ve got to bounce your way through the crowd and move with the dance floor. Trust me, it works. Si and I were playing back to back. Headliner Djebali, who is easily one of the best house DJ’s around was laying it down, there was another DJ on after him, then we were due to start at 6 in the morning. As it got close to the end of Djebali’s set we had a bit of a problem, the next DJ…. Who shall remain nameless for this story, hadn’t turned up…. It was getting close to his start time of 4 and despite numerous messages left on his answerphone there was no reply… It wasn’t looking good. So we had to go on 2 hours early. We were secretly happy about this as we got an extra 2 hours to play. Long sets are a rarity nowadays, but it’s such a joy to be able to play for a longer set, as it really allows you to actually DJ, rather than go on for an hour, bang it out and walk off. You’ve got to actually take the crowd somewhere, moving through the gears, upping the pace, taking it back down a little and back up again and even getting the chance to try something a little different. So to get myself ready, I walked up to the bar and ordered a double espresso !!!! Clearly from the barmaids reaction, no one ever does this at 10 to 4 in a Berlin club. It wasn’t looking good for my little awakener, so I had to pull the DJ card, the manager had a word and I was soon sipping my coffee, whilst posting a quick update on the socials that I was going in and going on. Well you’ve got to haven’t you. The early morning pick me up Well the hours flew by, we had to start pretty full on, as it was peak time, so it was nice to really keep the dance floor moving. As the night wore on, we could take things down a little, get a bit more of a groove on. We played back to back, then one of the other DJ’s Giorgio Maulini jumped on with us for a few. He’s a class DJ, so it was a pleasure to all play together. I found this on my phone. Captures the mood inside the club As the light sunrise was shining in through the windows, we decided it was time to start busting out some classics. Once it gets to the time when you can look out through the glass windows and see the rush hour traffic and people heading to work, you’ve got to keep the dance floor going…. It’s survival mode for the techno soldiers. So we dropped a good few classic tunes. Heller and Farley – Ultra Flava and The Armand Helden remix of Nightlife all went down well. We were still going strong when at about 10am it was time to wind it down. A 6 hour set isn’t bad going is it. I wandered back, taking in the cool air and trying unsuccessfully to stop the ringing in my ears so I could sleep, grabbed a bit of food and then got into bed…. It felt good to get my shoes off…. After god know how many hours vertical my feet were screaming ! Drinking in the morning sun. Blinking off a heavy one. The walk of shame. After a couple of hours kippage it was time to get up and out. The freezing Berlin air and a bit of hailstone slapping me in the face woke me up as we set out. That and 2 coffees, an all day breakfast and a cold pint. We spent the what was left of the day hanging out around the remnants of the wall. Taking in the murals and trying to stay warm and dry. Day soon turned to evening so we grabbed some food and found some bars. We liked Mano instagram.com/mano_berlin was great for a cozy, warming cocktail, I went for an old fashioned which was well made. I also really liked a bar called Hopfenreich http://hopfenreich.de for a cool craft beer hideout. That was more than enough so we got our heads down. Bar feels. The next day it was time to get up and be tourists. I couldn’t really come to Berlin twice and not see at least some of the sights once could I ! So we were up and at em. We headed to the local U-Bahn station. Berlin is pretty well connected the U-Bahn (underground) and S-Bahn (overground metro system) interconnect well and you can usually get pretty close to where you want to be with a bit of planning. Berlin is smaller, by roughly half than London which makes its transport system more compact, it’s also a bit easier to navigate as it was pretty much rebuilt after the war, so it’s all more modern, but I do find that there’s a bit of a lack of maps around, so download an app to help. I like the Metro Berlin one. Grab yourself a day ticket and go see the city. We headed out to The Brandenberg gate first, it’s adjacent to the German parliament building, the Reichstag. It stands as a reminder of Germanys troubled history, but now has more echoes of a symbol of peace. On the walk up, there’s some really interesting information on plaques on the walls about the history of the area, so this is worth a read. It’s pretty busy around here and a lot of the restaurants and coffee shops are brand chains, so we grabbed a few photos and headed off. The Brandenburg Gate Next on the list was Checkpoint Charlie. One of the original points to cross the wall. It has very much become a symbol of the cold war era, especially as the scene of the famous stand off between American and Russian tanks. The original checkpoint hut remains in the road and the original signs too. Rather ironically the surrounding area is mega commercial, with high end shops…. So a capitalist dream then. Time was getting on now, so we stopped for a stein and a bite to eat at a traditional German beer hall… Oompah band and all. Proper (checkpoint) Charlie After this it was time to pick up our bags and head home. Thankful for the short flight, taxi home. After a seriously hectic few days, on very little sleep, getting home to Fletch and the kids felt really good. As did my own bed.

We spent a rare night alone, kid free whilst in Brighton. There was only one thing for it: Cocktails at the Plotting Parlour and a fine dining taster menu at one of our favourite fine dining restaurants in Brighton : Isaac At in Sunny Brighton. Champagne, champagne for everyone Brighton is really starting to become a hot foodie destination and there are a number of fine dining restaurants in brighton, as well as a with a wide variety - from fine dining to street food. There’s a somewhere good to eat on almost every corner. Here's a review of our meal at Isaac At fine dining restaurant Why you should go What to expect A look at the menu These are our pick of the best fine dining restaurants in Brighton that you must visit: (we'll blog about each one in a separate post): Isaac At Fine Dining Restaurant (Michelin Guide) The Saltroom (Michelin guide) Petite Pois Etch (Michelin Guide) Amarillo (Michelin Guide) The Ivy On our most recent trips we took advantage of this and booked a mini holiday, within a mini holiday… A bit of us time, we went on a date woohoo. A few weeks beforehand, Clare’s birthday meal was cancelled at the last minute as right before we were about to set off for a local restaurant, our daughter decided that she didn’t feel well and we had to cancel. So to make up for this, we asked my Brother and his partner to babysit for the night, I booked us a hotel and we headed out for a night of cocktails and fine dining in Brighton. This was a rare treat and we hadn’t had much time together in what felt like ages. As much as I love my kids, it does get hard when you don’t get any time together. As we work together too, it seems like we spend most of our lives being Business owners, discussing stock, financials and plans etc, we then go home and be Mum and Dad, with not much time for anything else. It’s hard to loose yourselves, we just needed the be Clare and Si, Boyfriend and girlfriend for a bit. Enjoy each others company, reconnect and have a bit of romance maybe. So, plans were set in motion. After a lot of research, I had a shortlist of restaurants all of which looked amazing. The fine dining scene in Brighton and Hove is really blowing up but I managed to narrow it down to three. The choice was between Etch, run by winner of Masterchef the Professionals winner, Steven Edwards. The Little Fish Market, by Duncan Ray and Isaac at. It was a bit last minute and after trying to book, we were struggling for a Saturday booking. We were on waiting lists and the first to call us with space after a cancellation, was Isaac at, so that was decision made. The other two are defo on our list, so if my Brother reads this…. Just let me know when you can babysit again ;o) We really want to try the other two so will make a point next time we get chance. Again, due to the last minute nature of the night out the choice of hotels was a little limited, Summer in Brighton is a very busy time. I managed to get us in at the Mercure Brighton sea front. Which is the former Norfolk hotel, in a grand old building overlooking the prom, with a great sea view and not to far from the centre of town. The room was nice, clean and spacious. So I took the chance to have a shower in peace. Something which is a rare treat as the kids have an amazing sixth sense, they know as soon as I get in the shower and magically need the toilet, appearing in the bathroom without making a sound…. Like some kind of pissy ninja. Hello hotel..... Goodby kids So there we were, Clare had a slinky red dress on, high heels and curls in her hair (looking amazing, if I do say so), I had a flouncy silk shirt on, minimal buttoning in evidence and we headed out into the still hot evening sun. Straight in the Uber and down to a little cocktail spot I had hunted out. The Plotting Parlour. Cool interior spaces at The Plotting Parlour The Plotting Parlour is a cool little place, on Stein street. It’s just set back from the front near the Sea Life centre, so it’s a central, but it is on a little back street, so not somewhere you would usually stumble on. We headed inside, it’s a dark, almost gothic feeling interior, with lots of dark wood and matte grey décor. We loved it. We settled down for a couple of drinks, choosing from the cocktail menu, which is pretty impressive, a fine selection of classics, some with a distinctly modern twist and all made using the best ingredients. This would chill us out before dinner. I had an ale to quench my thirst, Clare went for a vodka and tomato juice and I had the Ginger and Chilli Margherita, which was amazing. We both love Tequila and I in particular like ginger so this was a bit of a no brainer. They went down very well, so we both moved onto these and had a couple more before we had a (very) relaxed walk to the restaurant, feeling fine. Ginger Chilli Margherita. Warning. They go down well We arrived at Isaac at, which is on Gloucester street, not to far from the Laines area. We were feeling super chilled after the tequilas, but were certainly ready to eat. The restaurant describes itself as “Serving Sussex on a plate, sourcing all of it’s ingredients from Sussex and the surrounding area”. A lot of restaurants make a locally sourced claim, but Isaac at takes this to the next level. Their knowledge and passion for local suppliers and produce really shines through. We really love to be told all about our meal and the story behind it, so hearing this is always welcome. The restaurant is small, simply decorated and spaced perfectly. It has an open kitchen, so you can see the chefs at work. It holds two AA rosettes and is featured in numerous good food guides. Laid back, stylish vibes at one of our fave fine dining restaurants in brighton - Isaac at restaurant We had booked the tasting menu, with wine pairing. We really do love doing this so much and it was a treat, so we wanted to go mental. Each course was amazing and really well cooked, balanced food. First up was a tomato and basil dish, which was simple and just let the good quality ingredients do the talking. The following courgette and Waldorf salad was equally good. Fish course was a Lemon sole and sea herbs. I really liked this, I do find that I like my fish cooked a little more than what is the norm, but this was just right. My favourite dish was next up, the Trenchmore beef was amazingly good. We finished off with the cheese board, a Bramley apple sorbet, yoghurt molasses and finally a millionaires shortbread. This was all paired with really well selected local wines. It was really good to try British wines and the sommelier Alex is v. informative. We do like to ask a lot of questions and he was always on hand to answer them. As we were in the final sitting we had a good chat afterwards over a double espresso about the restaurant and how they had been coping with the recent lockdowns, cancellations and wearing a mask, in a hot kitchen on a summers day. A fine selection of dining Overall the meal and ambience was really good, relaxed and not too formal at all, which we like. I’m not a huge fan of super formal dining and I like to feel relaxed as I eat and this place hit that spot well. We like it so much that we bought a gift voucher for the same experience for my brother and his other half, as a combined thank you-Birthday-Christmas present treat. So it must have made an impression. Feeling full of fine food and also full of beans after a post meal double espresso, we weren’t quite ready for bed, so we headed back to the Plotting Parlour for a few more cocktails. A fair few Chilli Margheritas each and we thought it wise to walk, just a little zig-zaggedy back and clear our heads before we got to the hotel. The evening was still warm with a pleasant sea breeze so this was a thoroughly enjoyable wander. It was still busy, even after midnight, which made it all feel a bit like holiday. There were lots of groups still on the beach, drinking, chatting and listening to music. It was all pretty good natured, but we were glad to get back in and sink into a comfy bed, with lots of pillows and crisp white sheets. It's not a bad spot that Lucky Beach have bagged in Brighton We woke up feeling pretty bleary eyed the next morning, but a coffee in the room and a cold shower soon sorted that. We headed out into the already warm morning, a short hop down the beach was Lucky Beach café. Set right on the beach, we bagged a table on the pebbles. The sun was already pretty fierce so we took a bit of shade. We do love a good breakfast/brunch. After a few drinks the night before the Fresh Crab Benedict really hit the spot. The crab made it all a little unusual, set on avocado, sourdough bread and just the right amount of hollandaise sauce this was doing good things to us. You probably don't know you need a crab Benedict in your life.... But, you do We were even picked up by my Brother and whisked back as well as being dropped off the night before, so we felt like proper celebs, being ferried to and from our hotel all weekend. It was such a joy to actually spend time together and we were so glad we made the effort. It really made us realise how important it is to take time out to be a couple and actually talk to each other and just spend some QT together… So take this a little bit of life advice. Take the time out to be boyfriend and girlfriend, husband and wife, girlfriend and girlfriend, boyfriend and boyfriend, whatever you are, just be together. The morning after. Thank god for sunglasses is all I'm sayin'

We got the opportunity to visit the harry potter tour warner bros - The Making of Harry Potter at the place where they actually filmed the real Harry Potter Movies - Warner Brothers Studio's London. I'm not a Harry Potter fan per say: I couldn’t tell you what order the books go in (sorry Potterheads) but they look nice in rainbow order on the bookcase & I find Mr V (shhh don't say his name) pretty scary tbh. As a Mum with Kids I've bought into the Harry Potter merch though. We have the books and have watched the films. We have Dumbldors wand gathering dust on a shelf and have a scraggy well worn hooting Hedwig (the HP owl) sat in the littlest kids bed (he went through a crazy owl obsession phase at around 3). Heads up: this is not a paid ad of the tour. Just an honest review of our family visit. This review post may have an affiliate link in, which if you click through + book or purchase tour tickets we may get a commission for. You are not charged anything extra for this. The kids obviously know about & like Harry Potter. The eldest has grown up with it and the littlest is just starting his first HP book, reading a chapter each night before bed. It's hard to ignore the genius and brilliance of J.K.Rowling and her magic creations. We love doing unusual or different days out with the kids. With one caveat: that they’re good days out or good things. There's a lot of cacky turd out there and we’re not having any of it. After a quick Trip Advisor search about the harry potter tour warner bros (with great reviews), we were super pleased and excited to go. The whole harry potter tour at warner bros is really well done. The kids loved it. And even though the tickets are expensive the tour at warner bros didn’t disappoint. The harry potter tour is not cheap and for a family of 4 or 5 the price can really mount up. But is the Harry Potter Warner Bro's tour good? Yes it blinkin well is. We set off early from home to get the train from Manchester Piccadilly to Watford Junction, where our Aunt was waiting to pick us up and drive to the Studio’s. There’s an informative section on the website for anyone planning their journey in the UK. The car park was huge with plenty of space and ushers ready to direct the traffic. It was funny to see all the true hardcore Harry Potter fans dressed up. There are some serious fans there. Day trippers and coach lots arriving. Lot’s of Foreign fans who are ticking it off their bucket lists. Theres a lot of interest for this place and an excited buzz in the air that was fun to experience as an outsider to the hype. The queues inside were pretty big but dispersed well. And we were good to go. From seeing full sets (like The Great Hall, Forbidden Forest, Privet Drive, Platform 9 3/4 and Diagon Alley - all exactly like in the film). The whole thing is set at Warner bro studios which is where all 8 of the Harry Potters were filmed. On the tour you'll find amazing sets, Costumes & Props like the potions and my favourite The Memory cabinet (900 memory vials from Professor Dumbledor's office). We drank butterbeer. It was delicious and tasted like butterscotch cream soda. You can buy the cups too as a souvenir which we did. Flew a broomstick over the Skys of London, The Thames, Hogwarts (using VX). And yes I'm ngl I completely got into the acting. loooolololol On a basic level, If you’ve ever seen a Harry Potter film before and thought how the flippin’ heck did they create these ginormous magical scenes? You’ll find out. The visual effects section is cool and the art section where you see miniature models of sets and scenes, and ideas, mood boards and drawings before any of this magic ever came to being. You realise the magnitude of the Happy Potter business and can’t help but marvel at The wonder woman J.K Rowling and what’s she’s achieved with her huge team. Theres lot's to detail and info to see. Lot's of well known sights to marvel at. You've probably got to go, to say you've done it and been a part of the magical world of Harry Potter that in years to come, your children will be reading to their children and telling them about that time that they went to the studios and saw all the magic. And you'll be reading to your grandchildren.... and there's the magic... a family event for all ages.... for years to come... until the end of time.... Book your tickets for the Warner Bro's tour via Trip Advisor here

We visited The Science & Industry Museum in Manchester as an impromptu visit on a drizzly day, as a family of 4 looking for things to do in Manchester. We were stuck at home in our home town of Manchester, looking out of the window and feeling a bit fed up. It was raining (classic Manchester!). We'd just got back from Mexico where we'd decided to go on a trip of a lifetime and sell up our lives in the UK for a life travelling around the world full time. We had made the decision to explore things closer to home before we packed up on our world adventures. We'd been guilty for a long time of taking our local city for granted. So we headed out into the City of Manchester to take advantage of the things Manchester has to offer and here's a family review of our day inside the science and industry museum Manchester. So first up, a visit to the museum is free. We saw it as a chance to learn about Manchester with the kids, enjoy a little bit of history about the Industrial Revolution of Manchester. It's a free day out with kids in Manchester. Although of course, we had to feed them afterwards, so an almost free day out ;-) Is there ever such a thing. The Museum is in a beautiful listed building in the heart of old industry in Manchester city with lot's to see around. And as you can see in the picture, the sun came out in afternoon and blue skies over the Museum, showing you that it's not always raining in Manchester. Or did we just get lucky?! The Museum itself is on the site of the original terminus of the world’s first inter-city railway - this is the oldest surviving passenger railway station in The UK. The architecture and buildings in this area are cool to look at & just a potter around the streets of the old industrial heart can generate some cool urban photography - if thats your thing. The museum is undergoing a massive refurbishment and change at the moment so a few parts were closed on our visit. Outside the museum of science and industry museum is covered up in scaffold and sheeting. And inside the science and industry museum some parts were closed. We had told our little boy about the Victorian sewers area within the museum, that we had remembered from previous visits, but these were no longer there, which was a bit annoying because he's 5, this was kind of the whole reason he wanted to come. He was excited to smell wafts of poo, and actually be inside some 'real' sewers. Like I said he's 5. We have to grab his attention in these ways. So overall the visit was a little bit boring for a 5 year old. And is more relevant to older children, perhaps on a school visit. Our 13 year old enjoyed it more. Inside the museum there is an interactive area where you can experience science activities, forces, including lifting a real car with only a wheel. The best bit Inside the science & industry museum: Our kids are really into their technology and digital worlds. And seeing a replica of BABY the worlds first computer, built at The University of Manchester (for the second world war) was a cool thing for them to see how far technology has come to now be in their tiny devices at the speed of light. Museum people are by the machine showing demonstrations on how baby worked. Check with the museum if you plan to visit as they're not always running demonstrations of Baby. Inside The Science & Industry Museum in the interactive science area where the kids could take part at different activity stations. This area was super busy on our visit, but each child had a go, then moved on to the next activity so we got to try all the activities in there. The kids enjoyed this section the most. There is a cafe & a gift shop in the museum. As a free day out to pass a few hours this could be a good choice for things to do with kids in Manchester. We learned, explored and spent time together. I find it hard to keep the kids engaged as they only want to spend the day on their devices, so this was a perfect excuse for a day out in the fresh air pottering around manchester, a museum trip followed by cake and coffee. There are tons of educational learning guides and resources on the Science & Industry Museum on the Museums web page that are worth a look if you have children and are stuck in the house. Easy science activities that you can try from household objects and kitchen ingredients. It's free to enter the Museum and they ask for donations. Tickets can be obtained online or at the door (like we did). The SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY MUSEUM Manchester is open from Wednesday to Sunday 10am til 5pm The Science & Industry Museum in Manchester address: LIVERPOOL ROAD, MANCHESTER, M3 4FP For more family friendly things to do in Manchester check out I Love Manchester site

Borough Market in London is a firm family favourite of ours to take the kids for lunch. It's fair to say we're a little bit obsessed and every time we're in London we visit. It's as simple as that! If you've been to Borough Market - you know! When we're just a couple at Borough Market we indulge in our favourite and visit The Wright Brothers for the most delicious oysters (I'll do a full blog post on these guys as they're my faves for oysters, crab and shellfish), when we're with the kids, we indulge in all the delicious street food stalls. It's not the first thing that jumps to mind when looking at things to do in London with kids. But if you've got inquisitive kids that will try foods this is a great experience. Similarly for kids who are a bit on the fussy side, a trip to Borough Market to sample different foods can be great to build confidence around food and trying new foods. Our 5 year old went through a fussy stage and a trip to the market helped normalise food variation and seeing everybody eating/trying really helped him see how silly his refusing of food was. He was the only one, around lot's of keen tryers. He started to try, and realised that he was missing out. If you've never been to Borough Market in London before and you like your food and produce you simply must go. Go NOW! It's a Market in London that as a day trip Must Visit as a couple. And especially so with kids too, you can look around over 100 stalls, buy fresh quality seasonal produce, eat sublime food, taste and try things, chat to the really knowledgable sellers, see chef demonstrations, soak in the atmosphere & just generally be around a positive food experience with the kids. Borough Market is classed as the UK's finest market. It's a cacophony of smells, colour, & vibrancy a good day out. If you follow our blog you'll see that we travel a lot so are out of the UK, but when we return we like to do all the things that we love and have missed. And as food (good food) features highly on our passion / to do list, as does good coffee - Borough Market has us covered. They do both in outstanding abundance. Rows of pretty cakes at Comptoir Gourmand There are three main areas at Borough Markets to explore: Three Crown Square (the larger producers and merchants), Green Market (the smaller, more specialist produce traders) and Borough Market Kitchen (the street food traders). Surrounding the Market there are many restaurants, bars and shops to dig around. You can see the full traders list at the Borough Market website. Always taking pictures of flowers everywhere we go. There's so much to see and do in London. We love to go into the city as a couple and equally with the kids. Don't be put off by the thought of expensive restaurants and hipster coffee shops that you feel you just can't take the kids to. You don't have to have deep pockets either to take the kids to London and explore. There are tons of free things to do in London with kids. Once you're in the city with a day tube pass you can get around and explore all the free things to do in London with Kids. A trip to the market, is a free experience, where you can make the journey getting there fun seeng street performers and London sights, plus stroll along the river. And when you're at the market, you can pick up reasonably priced (and delicious) food and treats along the way. Our kids love it. The Market For Kids If you take kids to Borough Market try to get some instagram pics of the kids and tag @boroughmarket with the hashtag #marketexplorers . The market is a great place for kids to learn through their senses. A cacophony of smells, tastes and visuals. Borough Market do a series of digital downloads for kids to help children discover more about the produce sold in the Market. Each learning booklet looks at a specific ingredient, tracing it from field to fork, which we love, and includes several delicious child-friendly recipes to prepare at home. Including: Tips for cooking safely with children. Click here for your free digital download for kids from Borough Market. A great thing to do in the holidays. Or before / after your visit to the markets. Plus they can cook one of the recipes at the end of it. We made their honey & lavender muffins. Winning! Free Borough Market Colouring in Download for kids to print out & colour in - cute! The History of Borough Market Borough Market is London's oldest Fruit & Veg market. Nestled in on the south side of the river Thames beneath London Bridge. Since the 11th Century, London Bridge has been a market place, an area where traders gathered. How to get to Borough Market Borough Market is just off Borough High Street. Borough Market nearest stations: The closest tube station to Borough Market is London Bridge but it's only a short walk from Borough Station too. If you get off at London Bridge, take a walk along the South Bank to the London Eye. And soak up all the things you'll see along the way with the kids. Borough Market Opening Times Borough Market London is open every day. Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm | Saturday 8am - 5pm | Sunday 10am - 3pm. Be prepared for the market to be busy. Get there early to avoid the crowds for a coffee or tasty breakfast or brunch. Or just accept that crowds are inevitable and all part of the hustle and bustle of a thriving market. London Borough Market gets busy, but anywhere that's good does - and if we avoided every place that's busy because we had kids, we'd just never go anywhere. We used to take our buggy, which was a hassle anywhere in London. But needs must. Now the kids are older EVERYTHING in life and travel is so much easier. It's clearly not a place for kids to run around and play and we pep talk them to hold hands etc. But there's no way they're missing out on anything just because it's busy. We are going to try Greenwich Market with the family (Mum, Dad, 2 kids - a teenager and a 5 year old) next time. Do let me know if you have visited Greenwich? If you visit Borough Market after reading this post, come back & tell us what you thought. We'd love to hear what you ate!! EASY LINKS FOR BOROUGH MARKETS The Borough Market Website Let us know your thoughts if you visit Borough Market, we'd love to hear how your experience went.

In our opinion this is literally the best travel plug adapter buy for travel. We have a few of these plugs now that the kids have their own devices to charge when back at the room. And we wouldn't be without them. We had a drawer of wobbly adapters for all different locations. This one single handy adapter covers you for all locations, that you may take in your lifetime. With USB charging ports too. It's hard to get excited about a plug, because you know it's a plug. But this adapter works. And is everything we need for our world wide travel. And there's 150 countries that this adapter covers. heads up: if you click + purchase from links in this page, we may get a small commission. This is at no cost to you. Which we use to cover the costs of maintaining this website. These are not paid ads, but links we use when booking our trips that you may find useful too. All views on this personal blog are our own & any recommendations are personal views of only seriously good things that I personally like, that we keep in our blog use to make our travel life easier. Continue.... You can click on the item picture to order via Amazon. This travel adapter fits plugs for UK, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, USA, Canada, South America, parts of Africa, Middle East, Asia, China, Japan, most European countries such as Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Portugal, Poland, Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, Iceland, and Italy etc. I read reviews before I bought ours that it was flimsy. I think all travel adapters seem flimsy and hang out of walls, but they still work. We've travelled all over the world with our adapters and they meet our needs without having to work out whether we have brought the correct plug adapter from the ever growing drawer of plugs, adapters & wires. I buy our plug from Amazon. Here's the link to buy USB Plug Charger 4-Port USB for worldwide travel,international travel plugs with EU,UK,US,AU plugs (blue-4USB)