One of my favourie pastimes!

One of my favourite things to do is eat and over the past couple of weeks my birthday celebrations have included a visit to one of the most fantastic restaurants in Kent, the 1 star Michelin Apicius in Cranbrook, Kent. Tim and Faith are the owners of this wonderful restaurant, both having worked for the Getty family, Tim as a personal chef and Faith a personal assistant. The food, the warm welcome and immaculate service really make Apicius a very special place to visit. Cranbrook is a gorgeous little town full of timbered buildings some dating back from the 11th century, cobbled streets and lovely boutique shops. Nearby are the wonderful historic Leeds Castle and Sissinghurst the home of author Vita Sackville West I thoroughly recommend this fantastic gastro experience but book well in advance as rave reviews in the press have made Apicius deservedly popular. Here are a few photos of Leeds and Sissinghurst Castles both are stunning, I adore the White Garden at Sissinghurst designed by Vita! We have spent many a lovely Summer's evening at Leeds Castle listening to wonderful opera, magical!

Last Sunday my darling daughter took me for a girly lunch at my favourite London hotel, The Goring in Belgravia. It is owned by the Goring family who live in Kent. This is the hotel where Kate Middleton stayed the day before her marriage to Prince William, although I found it first hehe! The lunch was one of my birthday gifts from Sophie, if she hadn't bought me enough already!! The lunch was delicious as always, lobster omelet to start,, roast beef from the trolley and lavender creme brulee, yum! We took our coffee in the lounge and who was sitting next to us? Heidi from The Sugar Babes with her fiance Dave Berry, always fun to celeb watch!! They disappeared into the garden with a bottle of bubbly! I particularly love this hotel as it one of very few  hotels in London to be run by the same family for over a hundred years! The decor is English Country House and has the largest private garden apart from Buckingham Palace in London. If you are ever in London do stop by for a very special experience. .