living STORIES
cycling in
romney
marsh.
Our lockdown epic rides in Romney Marsh and Dungeness. For several consequtive weekends in May 2020 we would stop at Costa on the motorway for a quick fix, park at St. Dunstan's Church in Snargate and cycle all day long our favourite lanes - all flat, blissfully calm except for that time we couldn't find the car!
epic day adventures
in london
& beyond
2020 was an unbelievably active year cycling.
We covered huge distances in London and beyond always in the lookout of the best coffee-shop to complement our journey. We explored the comfort blanket of the West, the gritty East but also the peacefulness of Romney Marsh and the unique strangeness that is Dungeness. We occasionally walked too in Richmond, Kew and the Docklands absorbing this English world and its fascinating diversity.
hiking
the velebit.
The Velebit mountain range is the longest in Croatia. You took me on two beautiful hikes in summer 2020 through woodland, coastal paths, steep rock faces and enchanting valleys.
PAKIRI
BEACH
NEW ZEALAND.
Walking, swiming, yoga posing in one of the most breathtaking beach landscapes we've both seen. A special time introducing you to a country that has moved and continues to move me deeply.
3 days on
mykonos
ISLAND.
May Bank Holiday 2019. Short and sweet luxury break at Hotel Bohème in this iconic island. Biggest hightlight: Jacuzzi outisde our bedroom facing the sunset! All day groovy sounds by the pool. Most annoying detail: being waited every two seconds!
KINGWEAR
BIRTHDAY
A secret.
​
My surprise birthday break was the most memorable of all breaks to date despite the deep sadness associated with mum's death! The modernist house, our shower, the bluebells, my love for you... just stunning!
FEELING
LIKE A COWBOY.
You had discovered that Almeria was the hottest place in Europe in Winter. It was also the home of the Spagetti Western. Three hours wandering the two enchanting towns - one American, the other Mexican - feeling like a cowboy.
the dako way of life
Nine days on Skopelos island in late August (2019). Chilling at the house, dinners by the sea, swimming right into the sunset, ice-cream down the port. Reading, daydreaming, capturing the light, the water, laughing and chatting. We even managed to squeeze in a house viewing and do a couple of short hikes in town and beyond. A swift climb to Ai-Giannis on the last day sealed the deal before jumping on the ferry back to mainland.
the city of
london
The magic that is Blackfriars, hidden alleys and secret courtyards in the City of London: Carter Lane and Wardrobe Place south of St. Paul's, the secret garden at St. Vedast alias Foster on Cheapside after checking the oldest plane tree in London, Finsbury Circus for a brief lounge lizard stop before heading to Curtain Rd. for a FIX. Via Broadgate Estate to the Bank of England, Cousin Lane to the river Thames and Blackfriars Bridge.
spitalfields & bricklane
Huguenot silk weavers, synagogues, soup kitchens, Refuge for the poor, graffiti and hoards of Sunday market people on Bricklane. Your uncle's favourite London spot with the plethora of Asian food stalls not seen in Croatia. Cute poodle stop, coffee at Gecko and a thorough examination of the Georgian beauties on Wilkes, Princelet and Fournier streets. Original 18th century fire insurance badge above number 37, a most curious fact.
east & west
Saturday 19th: an epic cycle ride from Elephant to Parson's Green, Putney Bridge and Chiswick to Hammersmith, Earl's Court, Battersea Park and Vauxhall. Coffeeology on King street, the biggest highlight. Sunday 20th: Wappping walk via a quick detour to Rotherhithe Village, all the way to Canary Wharf and tube back to Southwark. London's Hidden Walks Volumes 1 and 3, pointed at small historic facts enriching our modern takes of the places we visit and the city we call home that never ceases to amaze us.
stoke & barbican
A story in two halves: 1st stop Stoke Newington to check out 11 Collison Place overlooking Abnel Park. Coffee on Church St. and stroll at the magnificent cemetery park. 2nd stop The Barbican where we both were unexpectedly lost for words in the concrete universe that is the Barbican Estate. Some tastes are instinctive, others require training and regular exposure till they become familiar even necessary. Brutal Architecture was never instinctive but you have managed to convince me that there is something to it that is unique and surprisingly peaceful.
