City Breaks

The Barn, 4 Nights In Devon

- Vicki Leave a comment

Let me tell you about the most idyllic place I have ever stayed, I wanted a few days away from home, somewhere quite close but not in Cornwall. Do you ever get to a point where you just need a break from where you love but don’t want it to be a big thing, just far enough away that you feel like you are on holiday but close enough that you dont have to plan an expedition.

The barn was less than an hour from my house, just across the Cornish border in Devon, it is tucked away on a farm in a very, very peaceful location. Perfect for what I needed. I was craving being offline, just me & my husband to decompress, read, drink wine, cook have some proper quiet time.

The barn is on a farm and is owned by an interior designer and a photographer, they renovated it themselves, even the cob and lime rendering was done by them. It is a stunning space, open-plan living and kitchen space with a lovely long farmhouse table which we spent so much time at. The bathroom is also downstairs, it had a roll top bath, incredible rainfall shower and underfloor heating.

Upstairs is the bed deck with vaulted ceilings and exposed beams, the bedroom has so much light from 4 huge skylights. The space had such good energy.

We turned off our phones when we got there, didn’t watch any TV, listened to music on their SONOS, cooked lovely meals and read our books. The hosts also had wonderful taste in magazines and had left so many great interiors and photography ones. I read them all, the Country Living Modern Rustic ones gave me so much inspiration and since coming home I may have bought a copy or two for myself.

Our hosts baked us a vegan banana bread (delicious) and left local tea and coffee (with a grinder, so we could have freshly ground coffee) so we were all set. The weather was perfect for having 4 lazy days, it was stormy and wet almost the entire time we were there, but listening to the rain on the skylights and the wind rustling though the trees was so relaxing. We didn’t leave the property from the moment we arrived & being still & peaceful for 4 days is just what we needed.

The bathroom was lovely, very minimal but felt bright, clean, and rustic. There was a huge skylight which let in so much natural light. The roll top bath was huge and very relaxing. I spent a lot of time reading and soaking in there. The shower was also amazing, very powerful, and it was a rainfall shower which I love, oh, and they had underfloor heating which made it so cosy and warm. Not what you think you’d need in July, but the weather was more Autumn than Summer.

The kitchen as I said was open plan and the huge table in the middle of the room was great for prepping meals, and it meant the space felt very social. It had everything we needed, as we cooked all our meals here over the 4 days. So we put it to good use. We spent a lot of time in this part of the house, either cooking or sat at the dining table, with the stable door open & the patio doors too. Just listening to music or the sounds of the comings and goings of the surrounding farms. Simply idyllic.

I live in Cornwall at the moment and have been here for almost 10 years now, hard to believe the time has gone so quickly. I never meant to stay here that long, but I became comfortable, and it was easier to stay put than move. We have had quite a few big life-changing events happen over the last 3 years, I didn’t have the energy to think about moving but being in this space made me realise that although I live in a pretty part of the country, the road I live on has become so busy, over the years the traffic has increased so much and the noise is getting to me. Staying in such a peaceful location made me realise that I have to move, and I think it is time I said goodbye to Cornwall and try somewhere new.

So 2025 will see me in a new location, not sure where yet, but what I do know for certain is that it will not as far south, or in a busy tourist location.

How cute is this classic Nissan, it is a Pao, they only made a very small number of them, I have only ever seen one other and that was in St Ives & it is a Japanese import I fell in love with it, and now I really want one, it is so full of character and ideal for driving on the small country lanes

It is safe to say that a mini break was much needed and long overdue. I will not leave it so long next time before I take some proper time off and also time away from my phone and being constantly connected. It was nice to properly relax and for my mind not to be worrying, planning or over thinking. I am already planning to go back here in December.

Sunshine Cafe Penryn

- Vicki Leave a comment

The Sunshine Cafe is tucked away in the pretty Cornish coastal town of Penryn. I went just before the Summer holidays, as like much of Cornwall it can get a bit busy there, and with it being quite a small town there is very limited parking. I managed to go on an unusually quiet day and it was so peaceful and charming.


The Sunshine Cafe has been on my radar for a couple of years now, I have had friends recommend it to me & I have also been following them on social media, drooling over all their delicious vegan food and drinks. It did not disappoint, in fact it was a lovely place to stop for a bite to eat. The café space it bright, calm and a very friendly place, I loved the decor and how everything on the menu is plant based with an emphasis on using good local produce. I could have sat in there all day, I felt very relaxed. The food was delicious, I had the vegan beans & sausage on sourdough with a side of sweet potato fritters and an Almond Milk Matcha. I didn’t have room for a sweet treat, but I did spy quite a few options like a vegan croissant, brownies, and carrot cake. If you’re in Penryn, I highly recommend it even if you are not plant based, the food is incredible.

They also have a wonderful yoga space attached to the cafe they offer so many classes throughout the day, from pilates to yoga and guided meditation. I need to go back, so I can attend one of the vinyasa or pilates classes.

Sunshine Cafe and Yoga, Hill Head, Harbour Village, Penryn, TR10 8JU

www.sunshinecafeandyoga.co

Amsterdam Long Weekend March 2023

- Vicki Leave a comment

This was our first visit back to Amsterdam since 2019, in fact it was my first time travelling outside the UK since all the madness of 2020. It was so nice to be in an airport, on a plane and back to exploring one of my favourite places in the world. Amsterdam is my happy place, I feel so calm when I am there. We had never visited in March before, I did miss the tree’s being lush and green, but Amsterdam is pretty no matter the time of year, or the weather.

It is safe to say it we picked the coldest week, it snowed for 2 days, and we had temperatures as low as -4. I just used it as an excuse to stop for more warm drinks and yummy pastries. My friends opened up a Vegan café 2 years ago, and to say I was excited to visit was an understatement. The café is called Margo’s (named after Margo, the owner) and is 100% Vegan. Margo bakes everything each morning, all the pastries, bread and cookies, she is so talented. You have to pop by if you are ever in Amsterdam, even if you are not Vegan, the food is delicious, the BEST croissants, and cakes you will ever try. After 11.30 they have fresh sandwiches and toasties plus coffee, tea and matcha all day long. I am so proud of them and what they have achieved, the café is a delight, and they have built such a lovely, friendly community.

If you have read any of my other Amsterdam Diaries over the years, you will know that I just enjoy exploring, finding new areas to walk in and take photos of all the beautiful buildings and streets. Amsterdam is simply the most extraordinary place to visit, it is charming, pretty, and so easy to explore on foot. Despite the snow and cold temperatures, we were lucky that March was a quiet time of year to visit.

I have eaten at The Vegan Junk Food Bar a few times and always enjoyed it, I had never been to the Reguliersdwarsstraat location and I think this might be my new favourite. I had the kebab and John had the bacon, cheeseburger and chips, delicious, highly recommend. Good-sized portions, friendly staff and very reasonable price.

Spotting the flower bikes that are dotted throughout the city is a fun thing to do, there are not as many as they used to be. They are created by a Dutch man called Warren who started by decorating his wife’s bike, you can see some of his work on his Instagram & his story is inspiring and sad in equal measure.

I have already written a post about where we stayed this time, so if you want to read that, just click here. We usually stay at the same hotel, but decided to try somewhere that has been on my bucket list for a while, it was a treat. I have a few more photos to share, as well as some café and restaurant recommendations, so keep can eye out for that post.

If you have visited Amsterdam, let me know what you love about this City.

The Hoxton Hotel Amterdam

- Vicki Leave a comment

I have been to Amsterdam countless times over the years, if you know me you know that it is joint number one (with Berlin) as my favourite cities to visit. Amsterdam has such a special place in my heart. Before Brexit, we were all set to move there but as a result of leaving the single market we would not be able to take our business with us, so sadly a move is off the table for us. Instead we try to visit as often as possible, and we recently came back from a visit in March (it was FREEZING)

Until my most recent visit, we have always stayed in the same hotel (creature of habit) we liked being in a quieter area of Amsterdam, a little off the beaten track, out by the Tropenmuseum at The Manor Hotel. Surrounded by parks, nature and fewer tourists. We (still) love it out there, it’s relaxed and leafy it has nice restaurants, good travel links, and it is a beautiful walk (if you wanted to walk) into the more central areas.

Over the years, we have popped into The Hoxton Hotel for drinks and dinner (or just a cheeky wee). I always wondered what it would be like to stay there, right on the Herengracht Canal, in the centre of the 9 streets. I have heard so many people rave about this hotel and The Hoxton Hotels in general.

So I bit the bullet, and booked 5 nights (for early March). I was so looking forward to it, after my husband had lost a close family member over Christmas, we really needed a holiday. That was not the case, sadly my dad passed away suddenly 2 weeks before we were set to go away. I was torn between going and staying home. Knowing I wouldnt get a refund, and it was a pricey trip, (my dad would have been annoyed at me loosing all that money). I decided to go and try to make of it what I could.

We stayed for 5 nights in a Cosy Canal View Room on the 2nd floor, the room was small but had everything you might need. Lovely big window overlooking the Herengracht Canal, this view was worth every penny, so beautiful, and we loved seeing and hearing all the goings on out there. We have never had such a grand view before, and it really made me very happy to sit in bed with a cuppa and look out the window.

The bed was very big, comfy and with it being -5 degrees one day & snowing it was very warm too! We slept very well, even though I was pretty stressed and emotional. There is a desk in the corner and a desk chair, I used this space as a vanity. You get tea & coffee in the room, as well as daily bottles of water & milk (if you require it). The mugs in the rooms at The Hoxton are fab, very big, and perfect if, like me, you enjoy a nice cup of tea! There is also a fridge, we kept our Almond milk in there & some bits & bobs.

The bathroom had a rainfall shower and lovely products, shampoo, conditioner and body wash. I loved the white subway style tiles in the bathroom, it was a cool looking small bathroom. The wardrobe big enough for us & the huge drawers under the bed were great for our stuff too, for a small room there was plenty of storage.

The bar, and lobby is very, very busy at all times. We found that getting a seat was like a game of cat & mouse, it is a popular place for people to work out of (like a co working space). People would arrive when I left the hotel at 9ish, and they were still there when I came back in the late afternoon. It’s great that you’re able to do that, but if you want to use this space as a hotel guest, it is challenging. On the odd occasion we managed to get a seat, the light bites bar menu was great, coffee very good and the cocktails were even better. There is a great atmosphere here in the evening, and they have lots of live music in the evening.

So all in all, The Hoxton was a treat, I booked it in January and my wonderful Dad passed away in February, so I didn’t have the relaxing trip I had envisioned, but I am glad I went. I want to go back, so I can really appreciate it, with a calmer mind and more energy.

If you want to stay here, I would say sign up to their newsletter, or keep an eye out on Expedia for deals, otherwise (in my opinion) it is on the pricey side. The location is amazing if you want to be in the thick of it, in a nice area of Amsterdam, with shopping, restaurants and the hustle and bustle on your doorstep. Everything in Amsterdam is pretty much within walking distance, and what I love most about this city is that it is incredibly beautiful no matter what time of year you visit. Walking everywhere is the best thing to do, the way to discover cafés, bars, and shops tucked away.

There is also a Old school B&W photo booth in the hotel, we didn’t use it this visit as there was a constant queue of about 20 teenagers waiting to use it. We took these photos 3 years ago in 2019.

I will do another post about all the places we ate & cafés we visited. I just wanted to do a post about staying here, at The Hoxton, as it was such a small dream of mine, even if the circumstances were emotional.