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The Pearl of Prestwich

June 19, 2024June 19, 2024 by CharlRose, posted in Lifestyle

Dan and I booked a date night at The Pearl in Prestwich. My brother and his partner told us great things of their food and drinks. I love discovering new places to spend our weekends and it’s also super convenient because it is pretty much right on our doorstep.

On arrival, we were greeted with a warm “Hi guys, table for Dan?” which I thought added a lovely personal touch, to show they were expecting our arrival. The interior reminded me of a French brasserie, small but cosy and the drapes in the window added a sense of privacy and elegance. The whole aesthetic completely took me out of Prestwich and felt very cosmopolitan.

So, let’s begin with the cocktails, we ordered spicy margaritas to start our evening and my god they were good! The perfect amount of tequila and spice. For me personally, you can just tell when a cocktail has been made with care and precision and that’s the impression I was given.

The menu is split into 4 courses, snacks, starters, mains and deserts. As a snack, Dan and I shared the warms breads with whey fat butter and The Pearl chips, which were filled with ox cheek, mustard and dill pickle. Both were equally delicious.

As a starter, I ordered the gin cured salmon and Dan order the Isle of White tomatoes with burrata. Dan is someone who doesn’t usually like fish, however he tried my salmon and said it was incredible. Top tier compliment.

For main, I went for the wild sea bass and Dan ordered the BBQ beef. I asked for a wine pairing with my main and I was advised to order the Chardonnay. I don’t normally drink Chardonnay but as recommended, it was beautiful and light, perfect with the fish.

We ended our meal with a tarte tatin. You need to tell the serving staff early if this something you’re interested in because it takes a while to bake. In my opinion, it was the highlight of the meal. It’s the kind of desert I would fantasise about on a cold autumn evening. Not too filling but enough to leave you feeling warm and content, if not wanting more.

The Pearl Website – Book a table here

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RHS Bridgewater

April 2, 2024April 2, 2024 by CharlRose, posted in Lifestyle, Travel

In my opinion, Spring has to be the best time to visit the RHS Bridgewater. The flowers are beginning to bloom, the sun is starting to shine and your midday coffee just tastes that little bit sweeter. I really enjoyed my afternoon taking these photographs at the RHS and would highly recommend that you visit this Spring or in the coming Summer time.

RHS Bridgewater Website

Weekend in Wales

March 6, 2022March 6, 2022 by CharlRose, posted in Places, Travel

To celebrate Dan’s birthday, we decided to take a trip to Wales and stay in the area of Ruthin in a geopod. This was something that both Dan and I had never done. The pictures on the website looked lovely and it seemed like the perfect getaway for a weekend. The accommodation was called Ty Famau Geo Lodges. We had our very own fire pit and fire heated hot tub.

The pods had no wifi or television which was a lovely change and allowed us to have a bit of a digital detox. The hot tub took around 7 hours to heat up on a wintery, January evening. However, we managed to get the hot tub to around 22 degrees, which was warm and bearable.

The next morning we went to Bala Lake, it was an hour and a half drive from the lodges. We got wrapped up and went for a stroll along the lakeside it was quiet and peaceful. The only people around the lake were locals, kayaking.

We then drove to beautiful Betws-Y-Coed, the views on the way there were amazing. Huge pillow-like hills and winding roads.

We were hoping to find an old traditional welsh pub for some food but sadly due to COVID the places that were open were very limited. After a lot of searching we found an old family ran pub which was heavenly to look at but sadly the food was disappointing to say the least.

Betws-Y-Coed was quaint little village, the beautiful forest views in the background were giving me Decode by Paramore vibes. I loved the dark, creepy atmosphere and the misty hills made it perfect for some dark aesthetic photography.

Back at the lodge, we had a dip in the hot tub with a red wine and a night of trivia quizzes and music.

The next day we wanted some late breakfast or some lunch locally, but again the search was strenuous. We ended up at a strange little ‘pub’ at the bottom of mount snowdon. I say ‘pub’ but it was actually a mans home. He kindly offered Dan and I a spot in-front of his fire with a delightful cup of coffee. He recommended a pub in Caernarfon called ‘The Black Boy Inn‘. A very questionable name for a pub but nevertheless the food was amazing! It was exactly what we had been looking for.

We had a wonderful weekend and I would highly recommend the lodges and all of the places I have mentioned in this blog post. To follow my new instagram page click the following link earlgrey_aesthetics.

Birthday Trip to Cambridge

November 29, 2021January 20, 2022 by CharlRose, posted in Lifestyle, Places, Travel

This blog post is highly overdue, considering my birthday was in August. However, since our trip to Cambridge, a lot has happened. I went back to work, my partner and I decided to move in together, and then I caught COVID. So a very busy/hectic few months.

I am so happy to finally get the chance to sit down and write about our trip. It was a lovely surprise to find out that we were going to Cambridge because I have always wanted to go. Dan booked a room for us at Fellows House, which is part of the Curio Collection by The Hilton. The building itself was gorgeous and the interiors were very plush with stylish marbled floors and an exquisite bar and lounge area.

Punting

The highlight of the trip for me had to be our romantic punting along the River Cam. Dan used a company called Rutherford’s Punting which he booked in advance. We chose the ‘romantic experience’ which included a little bottle of champagne. It was such a relaxing experience, floating along the calm waters, taking in all of the beautiful architecture and history. It was a great opportunity to take in the cities heritage and monumental university buildings, I felt like a young Sylvia Plath (literacy/poetry nerd reference).

Food

On the first night, we went to a restaurant called The Old Bicycle Shop. It was a quirky little place with a lovely, relaxed dinner vibe. I have included a picture of the menu below for a sneak peek of what delicious food they have to offer.

The next day, we went to The Giggling Squid, which we didn’t realise at the time was part of a chain. The food they served was Asian cuisine but what was even more impressive was the building. I felt entranced by its fabulous glass dome and botanical interior.

On the last evening, after our punting on the river we went to a fantastic restaurant on the water called The River Bar Steakhouse. We had a stunning view of the river from our table and the service and staff were fantastic.

Exploring the city

I loved exploring the beautiful city of Cambridge, it was a little bit like stepping back in time as a student, although I can only wish I went to the University of Cambridge.

It was a wonderful trip, with lots to see and do. Hopefully this blog post encourages you to visit and experience the magic of Cambridge.

Cosy Cotswolds Pt 2

August 11, 2021August 11, 2021 by CharlRose, posted in Travel

After a delicious cream tea at Lucy’s Tearoom, we decided to head back to the hotel to get showered and ready for a lovely tea at Bourton-On-The-Water. We asked the hotel for a taxi number to get there and back however they quite candidly handed us a piece of paper with two numbers on it for two specific drivers that they use rather than a particular taxi rank. The first driver was out walking his dog and said the wait could be an hour which I found quite amusing and the second driver said he was finishing his tea and would then pick us up. I found this concept so different to back at home in Manchester but made the whole experience a little bit more personal and cute.

When arriving at Bourton-On-the-Water, I was astounded by how busy it was. Families sat waterside enjoying a picnic and groups of friends sharing a bottle of wine enjoying the warm summer evening. The village was beautiful, and it was lovely to see so many people filling the streets again and scattering themselves across the green – even children were enjoying in a splash in the water.

We enjoyed a lovely meal at one of the many restaurants along the waterside and a few/many tipples of wine.

The next day, we surprisingly felt rather fresh and decided to go back into Bourton to have a wander around the shops. There were so many gorgeous hidden gems, I particularly loved this little bookshop we found.

We grabbed some food from The Bakery on the Water, there was quite a queue outside but it was definitely worth the wait. There were so many delicious options and the smell in the bakery was dreamy. Dan had a quiche and I settled for a goats cheese and tomato toasty. At the back of the bakery there is a small terrace next to a stream, perfect location for a coffee and bite to eat.

Later that day, we found an ideal spot for a Sunday Lunch, it was called The Mousetrap Inn . We parked our car down one of the country roads due to how busy the surrounding area was. I’m glad we did park a little distance from the restaurant because the walk was beautiful. The service in the Mousetrap Inn was quick and the staff were friendly and welcoming. The Sunday dinner was fresh tasting and the beef melted in our mouths. Definitely a place you must visit if you’re in the Bourton area.

I was very sad to be leaving the Cotswolds and heading back to the city but I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and would recommend it to anyone who desires a country getaway. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love all things cosy and quaint and the Cotswolds filled me to the brim with both of those things. A truly wholesome trip.

The Cosy Cotswolds pt 1

July 28, 2021July 28, 2021 by CharlRose, posted in Travel

I’m back with another UK travel blog post, this time in the Cotswolds. I have wanted to visit the Cotswolds for as long as a can remember. Everyone that I have spoke to have said that it would be my idea of a dream location. The oldie worldie stone brick houses, toy town villages and the sprightly country air , what more could I ask for?

A few months ago, my boyfriend and I decided to book a little weekend away together. We was both feeling a little bit stressed with work and we needed a break, a change of scenery to relax and escape reality. We set off on a Friday afternoon expecting to hit some traffic, but luckily we completely sailed through and made it to Burford in 2 hours.

We arrived at our hotel The Lambs Inn, it was in a lovely quiet area 2 miles from Bourton-on-the-Water. After the journey, we wanted to freshen up and eat, so we booked a table in the hotel’s restaurant. I was ready for a glass of red wine and some hearty, wholesome food. I had a sirloin steak and Dan went for a traditional fish and chips. The food was very tasty but the great quality red wine was even tastier.

The next day, we came up with a rough agenda of the places that we wanted to visit so that we could fit in as much sightseeing as we could. Bibury was the first place on the agenda. Bibury is a quaint little village with gorgeous scenery and lots of sleepy cottages dotted around the outskirts.

We discovered that we could get free parking for the day if we visited The Trout Farm. The Trout farm was a lovely little spot where you can feed, catch and buy fresh fish from the farmers market every Saturday and Sunday. BBQ’s are available to book and you can have a gathering of up to 12 people. I thought this was a great concept, now that restrictions are lifting, I think it would be a perfect social setting for a warm, sunny day.

After having a little look around The Tout Farm, we wandered into Bibury to have a browse around the village. The cottages were so cute and picturesque, I was ready to pack my bags and move to the country.

We hadn’t eaten breakfast and was feeling a little peckish so we decided to find a little coffee shop/post office to pick up a coffee and a homemade sausage roll, it was delicious!

The market town of Stow-on-the-Wold is one of the best places to visit in the Cotswolds. When we arrived it was very busy so we sat and enjoyed a lovely refreshing drink at the The Bell pub. We sat in these adorable little pods with cushions and blankets, it created the perfect cosy atmosphere for an afternoon tipple.

Stow-on-the-Wold is a great place to do a spot of window shopping there are lots of bakeries, butchers, clothing stores, antique shops and little quirky cosmetics stores.

We followed our walk with an afternoon tea at Lucy’s Tea Room. The tea room can also get very busy so you might have to be prepared to wait for a table, but the warm scones and extensive choice of cakes are to die for!

Cotswolds blog post part 2 coming soon.

Little Trip To The Lakes

April 14, 2021 by CharlRose, posted in Travel

Well hello there, long time no speak. I know, I have been pretty non-existent in the past year. I can’t believe its been that long! However, I think we can all agree that it has been a very strange year. I went through a stage of feeling really uninspired and had little motivation to write about, well, anything to be quite honest. Despite lockdown being a really difficult and sad time for many, I managed to find some good to come out of it. I met someone pretty special (Dan), spent more quality time with my family and focussed a lot more on my health and fitness.

Lockdown was slowly coming to an end, so my boyfriend and I decided to take an impromptu trip to the Lake District. Given, he did most of the planning and driving but I supplied the music as the passenger DJ.

First, we stopped off in Grasmere for a walk and had some delicious gingerbread from Sarah Nelson’s Gingerbread bakery. Sadly, the bakery itself was closed but Dan had it sent to his house so we could enjoy it on the day. I have to say the atmosphere in Grasmere was a little eerie, it was a literal ghost town. It felt so strange because I can imagine before lockdown, it would have been bustling with locals and tourists.

After that, we drove a little further out to Seascale. The drive itself was an adventure – 30% inclines and declines, near enough the entire way. When we arrived, we found a small area of land close to the water to set up our camp chairs and table. The scenery was beautiful. It was a bitterly cold day so we made sure we were wrapped up and brought a soft throw to keep us warm.

Dan then went on to surprise me with a little picnic basket of goodies. Basically, all my favourite food and snacks. We even topped off our lunch with a little glass of prosecco.

It was so lovely to get out and do something a little bit different. We felt like we’d had a proper, full day out and it was great to travel again – even if it was only an hour or so away. Now that restrictions are starting to ease, it makes trips out like this possible again. All I can say is, get yourself wrapped up warm and start exploring again!

Bonjour de Lyon!

February 24, 2020February 24, 2020 by CharlRose, posted in Travel

I have been slightly nervous to make this post, as it has been a good year since logging onto my blog. However, after a nudge from my supportive other half I decided to get behind the keyboard. I wanted to share some pictures from a recent trip to Lyon. I have missed writing about my trips and travels. I managed to capture some lovely shots of the city and views from Chessy, the area in which we stayed.

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I was a little apprehensive about going back to France, having not had the best experience in Paris. I was reassured the cities were completely different and I was sure to have a pleasant stay. After visiting the city for myself, I can confirm both cities are vastly different. Lyon is a combination of both cosmopolitan and quaintly cultural.

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I am embarrassed but also not at all sorry to say my first protocol of the trip was a visit Sephora to do some shopping. After spending a decent proportion of my euros, we went to find a local place to eat. I love to try local cuisine whenever I am travelling to get a feel for the city and their culture. We went to a traditional Lyonnaise restaurant and had a three course meal in the middle of the day because that’s what you do on your holidays. I of course had two glasses of wine with my meal because why on earth would I not make the most of the beautiful french grapes. We had a strange pork dish in a sweet and sour sauce placed on top of a garlic and cheese cream. It was surprisingly delicious despite the unlikely combination. Restaurant Le Comptoir des Marronniers.

We visited the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere on a funicular ( a word I could never remember until now). It was all very scenic and the perfect opportunity for a few photographs.

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We wandered around the old town. Sadly on this day the weather wasn’t as picturesque but I still managed capture a couple of nice shots of the cobbled side streets.