Tag: europe

Summer Simmer Down

Published on by Seema Rampersad1 Comment

It has been a mainly glorious summer although I have been really busy with my work schedule, and therefore there were some times when I made sure to find a balance to do some interesting things at the weekends and evenings with friends and family.

The first of this was going to the Love Supreme Festival for the day in July. It was great to see some fab acts and newer talent in the fab country side in Glynde.  The weather was cooler than in previous weeks when there have been about four heatwaves. I didn’t camp this time to get the full experience but it was nice to still be there for the day.

The best thing about libraries is that some are in physical spaces in some amazing locations.  One of these is visiting the University of Greenwich campus to visit an ex-colleague and to see their library services.  It was great to see the world-renowned Greenwich campus and surrounding buildings – especially as it was so close to the River Thames.  Believe it or not – this is only the second time that I have been near Greenwich, even though I have seen Greenwich many times from a riverboat. It would be nice to visit there again and look around the Observatory, other historical and social areas.

London always have interesting and great venues to visits, and even though I live here, there is always something new to do or to see.  Friends were visiting in July and therefore we meet up in a warm summer night in a west end theatre for the play ‘Master Builder’ with a fab cast, which included Ewan McGregor.  It was great to have a Thai meal and to walk around the warm evening in busy Soho around 11pm with ice parlours still open.  This is very unusual considering how unpredictable the weather can be in London.

I am usually busy at home or with other tasks after work but one evening I was able to attend a summer social with work colleagues on a barge on Regent’s Canal.  It was a short distance to the office and it was handy to go there before heading home.    It was great to see the plants and be near water in such an urban setting.  We also has some water-colouring painting activities from a guide who gave tips on how to refine my secondary level painting skills. It was a lovely summer evening and it was good to spend time with others where we may not have had time to chat in the office.

I also had a fab catch up with friends near Liverpool Street Station on a Sunday.  It was so good to see Spitalfields Market after many years, to check out the nearby shops and to enjoy a meal in the restaurants close to the train station.  Normally there are a lot of workers having drinks after work around there during the week but at the weekend, it is really quiet and peaceful, especially with little rush of commuting or cars bustling by.  After our lunch, we were able to sit in this near park and enjoy the sunshine with a large open screen and amphitheatre seating around. The bar was closed as it was Sunday but we were also able to have some take-away cocktails and snacks courtesy from Marks and Spencer in one of the open-air parks. It was great to see people having dancing lessons and best of all, it was only a short walk back to Liverpool Street Station to make our way back home.

One interesting event that occurred in the office on one of my busy shifts was the signing and launch of the Netflix film ‘The Thursday Murder Club’.  The casts is made up of some famous actors including Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosman and Ben Kingsley.  The auditorium was packed to the brim but it great to see them in real. Another social event at work was a staff-led Library Live event which aimed to showcase talented staff as well as to bring everyone together.  It was great to see talented colleagues who were singers, musicians, arts and creatives.  It took a lot of organising – the commitment and generosity of staff was amazing! I am so pleased to be a small of it and it really showcased how small intentions can have a big positive impact.

As it has been busy at work, sometimes I want to do very little at weekends so that I have some time to relax at my leisure. I also go for short walks and to areas closer. I recently spent a few days in Bedford visiting family and a couple of places I have been meaning to see for a long time.  I went to Olney and it was good to see the little square with shops, the vintage Aston Shop (with Pierce Brosman again!) and one building where John Newton creator of the song ‘Amazing Grace’ lived. There was also a famous pancake shop which was already advertising Pancake Day 2026. There are few more villages around Bedfordshire that I look forward to visiting again in future.

I also went to Althorp House, which was only about 50 minutes away from Bedford.  Obviously, it is famous for being the ancestral home of the Spencer family as in the late Diana, Princess of Wales.  The house is set in simple deer garden which fabulous trees and park with alpacas and black deer on the ground.  It was nice to have a lunch in what was once the stables and then to make our way into the interior of the house.  As it is still a living home so we were not allowed to take photos of the interior where the art, paintings and furniture was great to see. The Oval Pond where Princess Diana is buried is peaceful and beautifully maintained.  I couldn’t help think of her and wish her everlasting peace in this beautiful spot on Earth. 

The last few days of August, I was back in London.  The weather has been great this year and not going abroad was a conscious decision but hopefully there will be more time to travel next year.  I am able to spend time on my neighbourhood doing interesting things which I have not done for a while – such as attending a disco which was just a few street away.  I also went a little but further to Notting Hill – not for the carnival, but to catch up with friends.  It was interesting to hear my friend say that she used to go shopping there with her parents about fifty years ago.  It probably has changed a lot with trendy restaurants and a more cosmopolitan feel.  I saw the Portobello Market nearby but did not want to get tempted to buy something that I may not need. We had an amazing lunch at the popular restaurant The Canteen, which had a menu based on Italian cuisine.  Although I am married to an Italian – it is still great to try new recipes and flavours.  I would definitely recommend the restaurant if you are in that part of the woods.

So, as we come to the end of summer 2025, I do still wish I was sitting near a beach and enjoying the sunset and sea, but I guess I will have to enjoy it double as much the next time I go away.  It was still nice to spend time doing all of the above and toasting to this summer’s sensations.

Trip to Bonnie Scotland

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I visited Edinburgh about 24 years ago and it was great to see Scotland then when the train trip only cost about £36.00 in advance and the internet had not infiltrated out lives has it has now.  I do have printed photos somewhere but need to see them again one day.  Last time I went we also visited Portobello and Leith but this time was I mainly here for work and some leisure at the weekend.

On my way to the University of Sterling, I stopped at Edinburgh for a while to see the city again. One of the best aspects of going to Edinburgh by train is the coastal views from York to Edinburgh – I was mesmerised by the green of the grass and the blue-grey skies so close to the railway route.  In the distance you can see Holy Island which I still remember from the ‘Lindisfarne Gospel’ held in the British Library. It is also amazing to see the town of Berwick upon tweed as it curves on the same route to Edinburgh.  I would definitely recommend a trip to Edinburgh by trip just for this journey!

 It was great to see the sights of the hilly city with the imposing Edinburgh Castle perched on the hill, the Monument, the gardens and my favourite recollection of the Royal Mile with great shops and architecture.  Princes Street also seemed to have changed from the shops that were once there and the famous Jenner Department store is no longer there. 

There is definitely something magical about the hill and the ability to see views to far out of the city to the sea and rolling country side.  The shops around the Royal Mile features a lot of the things that Scotland is famous for – whisky, cashmere, tartan, shortbread, haggis and many more.

It was great to see the Adam Smith statue and to see the location where the true inspired story of the novel on the Strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. There is also the sound of the bagpipes player at various spots in the city and it true resonates across the city. I do like the undulating hills around Edinburgh which enhances the architecture from the various angles you may see it. It great to go back again and unfortunately, I didn’t realised that I was actually quite close to the National Library of Scotland but hopefully I can visit again another time.

I got a short train journey from Edinburgh to Sterling for the Business Librarian’s Conference (BLA) as they celebrated their 50th anniversary.  I was encouraged to go by my ex-colleague who recommended their conferences for their relevance to our work.  The conference was great for getting to know other Business Librarians who are mainly based in academic business schools.  There were a lot of synergies with our library services in a publicly funded business library and we have similar resources and framework for our users.  The challenges and opportunity with artificial intelligence and new developments in the sector were discussed, presented and digested in a conference over three days. Business information suppliers were also in the exhibit hall and they presented their products and services.

Delegates were warmly welcomed and it was good to meet about 70 other delegates from across the country and abroad.  The campus at Sterling was set in beautiful green grounds with surrounding forest, ponds and buildings that were quietly set in this scenic part of Scotland. The facilities, hospitality and library were great to see and I felt that wellbeing benefits ranked highly in this setting. Thanks to the organisers of the BLA conference and I look forward to taking part in future.

Sterling was very green, clean and beautiful with the journey from the train station to the campus at the University of Sterling.  It was nice to see the monument to William Wallace who was the main character in the well-known film Braveheart. Some of the historic aspects of the stories are still around – such as the bridge where the battle occurred.  Also famous for the Sterling Castle from a distance and to also tour the castle at the weekend.  I loved the garden and views of the surround countryside especially on a beautiful sunny day (there was a heatwave in other parts of the UK on this day).  The Castle itself is steeped in Scottish history with its’ most famous resident being Mary Queen of Scots, and a statue of Robert the Bruce in the main entrance.  The castle tour and views are truly worth the visit. I also had dinner with our conference delegates at the Sterling Castle Hotel with a surprise tour of the observatory at the top.  I couldn’t believe it that I saw two observatories in one month! I would definitely recommend a visit to Sterling Castle with its proximity to both Glasgow and Edinburgh. 

This is exactly what I did once the conference was finished.  I went to Glasgow by train as I had never visited the city.  We also have partnerships with the Mitchell Library for their Business & IP Centre but I had haven’t visit it as yet.  Glasgow was also a bit hilly in parts with the river Clyde running through it.  You can tell that the city had a long history being close to waterways and there seemed to be elaborate Victorian and Glasgow style architecture.  The city was urban and edgy especially on a lively Friday and Saturday night.  There were great areas for restaurants and bars – with the obvious influence of immigrants from Italy with long established restaurants and cafes.  I also visited the Kelvin Grove art museum and was pleased to see the areas which explain the history of the Scottish people that was in my imagination as I saw Scotland.

I couldn’t write about Scotland without mentioning Whisky! I was able to have two whisky tasting sessions and it was an education on the drink and how it developed over hundred if years as direct result of the farms and earlier residents of the country.   It was actually know as priests in the early days as aqua vitae.  The two taking session had a similar format and told the story if the famous drink but one was set in a quaint temper building in Sterling and the other was in Glasgow near the river Clyde and docks. 

I have always wanted to see the wilder rural side of Scotland but knew I didn’t have a lot of time to do so due to other work commitments.  So I booked a trip by mini-bus to see Loch Lomond, the Trossachs and another round trip to Sterling. The Loch was only about 40 minutes outside of Glasgow and I would definitely recommend if you visit Glasgow.  It was so grand and big – it was amazing to take the ferry on the Loch to see in the hills in the distance and the expansiveness of the Loch.  The best part of the mini-bus and boat tour are the audio recordings which told the stories of the Scottish people and the natural beauty of the landscape. The tour also took us to the beautiful secret scenic spot in the Trossachs to see the vista of beginning of the rolling highlands, trees, ferns and heathers. We were taken to see some highland cows that were in a field near a convenience and tourist shop. 

This was only a short trip mixing work and play in Scotland, but would definitely like to see more of the highlands, shores or islands of Scotland. I am so glad that was able to see it again and this time I have some newer memories that I will be talking about for a while to come on Bonnie Scotland!

Peak Time with friends in Europe

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After many years dreaming of fun times like these, I spent the last few weeks with school friends travelling around parts of Europe.  It has not always been easy or accessible when we were younger as we lived far away in the Caribbean, the cost to travel was expensive, and we needed pre-arranged visas etc to travel to some European countries. Our education, work and family lives were also given priority, so dreamy and carefree travel like this was put to the back of our minds.  However, this time has now come for us to explore the world (within reason) and spend quality time together.  This is exactly what I did and I hope you’ll enjoy the recap here of my recent trip.

Getting the Eurostar train from St Pancras to Paris is always a good start and such an easy journey from central London to the heart of Paris. The view of the English and French countryside are great to see from the fast-moving train, especially with the yellow mustard fields.  This time we stayed near the Champ Elysée and Arc du Triumph. This part of Paris is always filled with tourist checking out the shops and landmarks.  It is also one of the best walking spots from the Arc to the Louvre Museum.  You get to see one of the most famous Paris avenues down through the Place de la Concorde and Tuileries.  I remember my first visit and it is still magical to take in the Panorama. The best aspects is also that the weather held up and the rain that we were expecting did not happen. 

Later that evening, we went out for a walk around the Eiffel Tower, a cruise on the river Seine and dinner in a French Brassiere.  The Eiffel Tower looked amazing at sunset and lit up as the night crept in.  The cruise was a musical cruise and it was nice to hear some of the most famous French music whilst on the Seine with the glimmering lights and cool breeze.  We saw some of the Parisian nightlife from persons jogging, cycling and exercising along the river to restaurants and riverside shows for locals and tourists.  Although we spent just over an hour in Paris – it was great to get to see some of the beautiful aspects of the city and I hope I can visit again one day, especially on my way to visit Versailles (which I haven’t seen as yet). A bientot Paris!

Our next stage of our trip to Switzerland was fairly easy to get to from Gare du Lyon to Zurich.  It was great to get the train direct which took just over four hours with a reasonable amount of comfort and amazing views on the way.  Once we got to Zurich, it was great to settle into a nice hotel which was only about 10 minutes from the Lake Zurich which dominated the views with scenic buildings and promenades all along the lake.  Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and is known for being the global centre for banking and finance. We had a walk along the lakefront shops and saw some of the other parts mainly whilst we were going to other places but we certainly had two major treats from our base. One was the day trip to Mount Titlis and Lucerne, the other was the Lindt Museum in Central Zurich.

For our trip to Mount Titlis, we asked our hotel to organise the trip with a local tour company and we booked the trip for the next day from the coach park near the main Zurich train station.  We got the coach with a tour guide who gave us insightful and funny stories of Swiss history, culture and facts. It is so worth it to learn about the landscape, people who lived on the land and building of the country from romans to modern Swiss engineering and innovators.  The mountains, valleys, chalets, and natural springs were all fantastic to see.  We went past a few original chalets and many modern homes.  I could help remembering the book ‘Heidi’ which I received as a child from my primary school.  More than anything, I would like to actual spend some time in a chalet and enjoy the views a bit longer should I visit Switzerland again.

When we got to Mount Titlis, I was not nervous but I haven’t for such a long journey on a cable car before – I have only briefly been on one in Sicily in 2019.  We were also not sure how cold it was going to be but in hindsight, it was not very cold at -2degrees.  The cable car was truly spectacular and the ascent was breath-taking.  I was a little nervous but it was not shaking, plus the second part of the journey we also go into the first revolving cable car! The snow-capped Swiss Alps and altitude is an experience, especially for three women from the Caribbean. It was also awesome to see skiers in deep snow so high up the mountains. 

 It was also good to spend time in the shops at the top or to grab a bite if you were hungry. The ice cave was also another bonus to the tip – I have only seen these in images from Scandinavia and it was interesting to go into a glacier – it is making how humans can create these places despite the temperature and altitude!  As an adult, Mount Titlis was brilliant for exploring somewhere I have never been too before it was like a real-life amusement arcade for all the family.  I would certainly recommend it!

We also had an hour in beautiful Lucerne with the lake, good shopping areas and the splendid ancient bridges. One other note is that Rolex is a Swiss brand, and like other clock and watch makers – there are many world-class Swiss watch makers which you can see as you go around the shopping areas. The views around these areas were really interesting to see and apparently in the heart of warmer weather, the bridges and chalets are decorated with beautiful colour geraniums which must be a sight to behold.

The second treat to the Lindt factory was informative, educational and flavoursome!  The museum is easy to get to from central Zurich with many tourists especially there for Good Friday.  It was special being there for the Easter weekend.  The museum was curated with a giant chocolate fountains and tasting areas, the history of chocolate production and a section on the history of Swiss innovators and entrepreneurial businesses.  From Nestle, the Red Cross to Lindt founders – the stories of invention, and business development were showcased and celebrated.  The fact that Swiss engineering, standards and creativity are still respected today was highlighted at the museum (I also thought of the engineering of cable car up the cold and wet Swiss Alps!).  And to top it off – there was a lot of chocolate tasting stations in the Lindt Museum as well as amazing shop with all their flavours and brands. We left Zurich that afternoon but truly appreciative of Swiss culture, natural beauty and ingenuity.  

The final part of our continental journey was a flight to Venice.  I was impressed that when we arrived at Marco Polo airport that we were able to get a water taxi straight to our hotel for only 18 euros compared to other expensive taxi services in other cities.  The last time I went to Venice, I went via bus from Treviso so this really journey really had me in awe that you can go straight from airport to water transport!  Our hotel was in a residential area and really scenic along the waterfront. 

Venice is beautiful and it was great to plan trips to Murano and Burano the next morning.  As we approached the island – the colours of the buildings especially in the Spring sunshine was a feast for the eyes.  Murano is world renown for their glassmaking and our tour included a glass making demonstration.  The glass objects and jewellery on display and for sale were beautiful and hard to resist.  Burano had some great restaurants and piazzas for hanging out for a couple of hours.  There were some nice shops which is also famous for their lacemaking.  I haven’t been to the islands before but it was great to see them on this trip.

The final part of the journey was spent in St Marks Square and near the Doge Palace.  Venice had a high density of tourists so these part were exceptionally beautiful but also there were thousands of tourists.  The next day we also had a walk along the shops to the Rialto Bridge and surrounding areas.  The shops, buildings, waterways, markets and gondolas are great to see in this unique city.  When in Venice – there was a lot of shops to see and the Italian food was also great to savour, in particular the seafood, wine and pasta.  I most likely will visit Venice one day again in the future but for now, it is still such a magical place to see and experience.

We ended up our trip in London and even though I live in the city, it was great to spend time doing new things such as going to the Shard, seeing the show Mamma Mia, visiting some new restaurants and spending lots of time shopping from Oxford Street, Covent Garden, shopping malls to local retail outlets.  We also has fun checking out Borough Market and the Sky Garden in town which some of the best street food and view across the city. 

This time allowed me time to switch off from my busy schedule and spend time with friends whilst seeing more of the world.  Although it took us a long time to do it – it came at the right time for us to enjoy the sights and life in good company with laughs and memories to cherish for the rest of our lives. I truly appreciate and treasure the journey and the peak time spent together.

Another vintage year

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I have had a lot of time in the last week to relax and enjoy time with family, friends and pets. On reflection at the year at this time of year, there has been a lot that happened in a professional level, and I made a conscious effort to find some time to see more of England. You can see from my previous blogs posts that I have been busy with professional activities and some fun and travel thrown in. This year was busier than expected, and little did I know that I would be unable to have lots of free time.

Some of the highlights are mentioned here for my own reminder of a year well-spent. 

It was also great to start the year visiting the Chanel exhibition at the V&A Museum.  The dresses on display were like works of art and the exhibition enlightened me on Chanel’s impact on design and fashion from the little black dress, ball gowns, trousers, and the classic suits she is famous for to this present day. I have recently visited the Medieval Women exhibition at the British Library, and this reminded me of women who have been doing fascinating innovative activities throughout time but whose stories are not always told.  For example, it was great to smell some of the scents made in the medieval ages that would not seem out of place in this current age.  There is definitely a deeper appreciation for those who have gone before us.

One of them was getting ready for a wedding in the family where I had my first away weekend for a hen party.  It seemed like ages ago but spending January doing fun things with family was a great start to the year.  In Birmingham, we looked at movies, danced, tried new drinks, had brunch and had a cake completion.  I do remember all the lovely pink theme items and even now when I wear my bright pink top – I still get compliments when I wear it and I feel oblige to say that I bought it for a hen party.  Fast forward a few months, and the wedding was also a lot of fun! It was great to spend time with family for a big occasion like an Italian-South African wedding with delicious food, good music, dancing in a lovely venue. 

I try to find a balance with work and life. This year I wanted to visit some places where I haven’t been before and they were Bournemouth, Dorset, Swanage, Shaftesbury and more recently Oxford and parts of the Cotswold.  I spent a few nights in the south coast in Spring where we were able to see a few coastal towns.  It was good to be by the seaside and get out of London.  I really loved seeing the Dorset countryside and the Jurassic coast. Durdle Door was such a busy place in lockdown that it made all the headlines and therefore I was able to add it to my list to see this year.  It was a natural geographic spectacular and I still find it amazing seeing people trekking across the steep cliff tops – they have my immense admiration! 

Recently, I also visited Oxford as I have never been – apart for a visit to Abingdon for a library resources supplier visit in the 2000s.  It was great to spend time around such a famous city and we made an extra effort to try some nice local restaurants such as Brassiere Blanc (not to be confused with the more exclusive Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons ) and The Ivy Brassiere.  The architecture and local areas were great to see.  We didn’t have time to do the world renown tour of the Oxford Colleges but it was nice to see the Bodleian Library and building along the city centre.  I do hope to visit for work related visits in the future so just taking in the sights and town were good on this occasion.  I also wanted to visit the surrounding area and thankfully the weather was great for driving to the picturesque village of Bibury and Cirencester which were in an area known as the Cotwolds. 

It is very pretty around there and although it was December – it was nice to see.  I imagine it will be more beautiful in summer when all the flowers are in bloom.  Cirencester was bigger town and obviously the residents looked more affluent and well-to-do.  There were great shops and a town square burst with activity for a Christmas market, festive choir and musical band as well as some street stalls. We were really pleased to fit in Bibury and Cirencester in the day and return to Oxford by sundown.  The Ivy Brassiere restaurant was really good and the food excellent with great atmosphere, décor and service.  I look forward to trying in 2025, the one in London as my recommended by my husband. There are still some places in England that I have to visit, and hopefully I can do that in the near future.   

The two other big trips to the University of Rhode Island, Boston and Italy were great.  SLA had a really great conference in Rhode Island – from the programming, the venue and grounds, to the attendees having a great time at the social and networking events.  The talks and presentations were certainly empowering, especially with regards to newer trends in Artificial Intelligence to best practice in various information systems showcased.  I met old friends and made some new ones along the way.  That part of the country is beautiful – and I am lucky to have a cousin who went out of her way to welcome me.  I was great spending time with family in the surrounding areas and visiting areas I was researching before my visit.  I am truly grateful for their time and efforts.  I hope I can do the same for them in future.

I had a few weeks of work on my return from the USA and then it exciting to visit Italy. In 2023, I was very busy being SLA President on top of my work and family life, so my reward to myself was to have a summer holiday in Italy this year. Looking back, it was such a great holiday to relax and observe life and the beauty under the Italian sunshine.  I am a little bias, and there is so much I find interesting when I visit Italy that I never get bored of visiting.  I am already planning my next summer visit to Italy or perhaps a city break. 

Without a doubt, I have been very busy with work and all the demands a busy schedule requires. On reflection, I  am thankful that all is fine for now.  I know that next month I will no longer be on the SLA Board – this has been an opportunity of a lifetime and therefore I have been fully commitment to my role and the cause.  I will gain some extra time in the new year, and will still be involved with SLA and SLA Europe in other roles and activities. I know the turn of new year will also be a busy time, but I will remind myself to take it each day at a time and look to the future with faith and belief that it will all work out in the end.  Touch wood!

Getaways – Finding some time for balance

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As I have been busy on all fronts, I try to find time to rest, relax, do some fun things and go to out. The best thing about warmer weather is that it encourages you to go out to explore be it in the city or countryside. There are still parts of England I would like to see and pencilling time to have a break is essential for our wellbeing, enjoyment and peace of mind. I am pleased to say that this exactly what I did.

I went to Wales for an Intellectual Property Masterclass training course which I have been meaning to go to for a number of years.  It was good to visit Newport again, and this time we were based on the waterfront.  The train journey and the views were amazing. I also like that the IPO’s office is in a governmental complex in the same location as the Office of National Statistics (ONS).  These are two great governmental department that I have used many times in my career as an information professional. It was also very nice to meet other partners from other locations in the UK.  I didn’t venture to Cardiff as I did last time but it was good to see some towns (e.g. Bath Spa) in the train journey that I hope to visit another time.

I have planned a more relaxing getaway in a seaside town but it was reliant on good weather. Luckily the weather was okay for a trip at the end of May to Bournemouth. I have been before but it was a cold windy day to be on a beach.  The weather was nice and it was a pleasant time to get out of London – which can be claustrophobic if you stay here all the time.  It took about three hours to get there with clear traffic and I can certainly visit again especially if the weather is guaranteed to be good. Bournemouth had a nice seaside but liveable vibe about it and I liked the sandy beaches.  I obviously made the most of the views and one of their best restaurants down there. I like looking at the homes and the spaces they have and therefore the drive and country roads are also interesting whilst down there.

We were on the Dorset coast and the first time I heard about the region was whilst studying Thomas Hardy’s poems.  So it was interesting being in Hardy country.  Our book actually had an image of the hedgerows and therefore it was truly interesting visit World Heritage site Lulworth Cove (better known as Durdle Door) and Jurassic Coast. The drive was along rural roads to country lanes, and therefore there were some nice sites to see along the way.  Durdle Door was really impressive and one of the best social media attractions in the Covid years and therefore I found out about it when most people were visiting it then.  The coast is amazing to see and I admired the persons doing the cliff walk on such a really windy day.  You really have to be fit and wear the right clothes and gear to do these extraordinary cliff walks.

We stopped for a few hours in Shaftesbury on the way back to London.  I have seen beautiful photos of the town over the years and it known for being the famous location in Gold Hill for a Hovis Bread advert.  Apparently, the advert showed people with a Yorkshire accent but obviously the setting was in Shaftesbury.  The drive to Shaftesbury was interesting and seemed popular with local people for the hilly roads, bends and turns!!  It was nice to take some photos on Gold Hill and have a wander around for a little while.  The Friar’s church was good to see with the views over the rolling hills – which were truly beautiful and picture perfect. 

This was a short break outside of London but closer to work and home – I had some other outings.  I attended a celebration of SMEs (Small Medium Enterprises) at Small Business Research and Enterprise Centre (SBREC) – previously known as the City Business Library.  I have been visiting this library since the 1990s and it is great to see that they are still around.  It is great that they are funded and based in the Corporation of London. In a right reflection to the city, it was a pleasure to spend their celebratory event in an old Roman Amphitheatre whilst networking to jazz music from the London Guildhall School. In my past role and currently, we have supported each other for providing research and business support for users.  Most frequently, we have been cross-referring to SBREC as we navigate our cyber-attack recovery.  It was great to hear about their current strategy for business in the city and best wishes to SBREC and their staff!

The E17 Art Trail was back aging in June, which celebrates and showcases local artist, arts, crafts and designs. I made time to visit some of the locations in my neighbourhood with a friend who was displaying her artwork in a florist and also checked out the art studios and venues in the vicinity.  It was nice to see some of the regenerated areas of Walthamstow and how new businesses are repurposing old and new spaces.  There was an established artist space for an exhibition and newer multifunctional spaces such as an indoor climbing wall – which in itself looked like art with the multicoloured climbing wall.  The venue also had co-working spaces, a gym, café and family activities.  It is great that this has evolved in this area and it was a great use of space as well as building communities around these activities.

I guess you know by now that I like gardens and plants.  It was really good to take some walks around the neighbourhood for longer spells or just for my routine walks.  I was planning on visiting a garden in East Grinstead today but I had to change my plans.  However, I still have so lovely photos here of the community gardening in a local church and some of the nice plants in the front gardens in my neighbourhood. 

A David Gurteen Knowledge Café at Ipsos was another event I made time for recently.  It was in the lovely St Katherine Docks in London.  I held a birthday party there once and it had lovely memories for me.  It was nice to finally attend David’s café and be inspired but the discussions, meeting new people and seeing a venue and host in town.  Ipsos presented some interesting and provocative insights on Demography and Politics in their ‘Ipsos 2024 Generations’ report. The discussion was interesting to hear how the world population figures are being predicted and the impact it may have our own lives and resources.  I also live the concept of the Knowledge Café (having hosted one with David at London City Hall and at the British Library).  I hope we continue to use these café in-person to share our knowledge, insights and make new connections.  Over a decade ago, I met someone at one of these cafés who became a friend who then frequently met me at the British Library, presented a session at City Hall for me and even played in the Notting Hill Carnival with me. This friend passed away about three years ago.  So sometimes something as easily accessible as this can have deeper meanings. 

I am likely to be a bit busy the next couple of months with work, conference and family.  I hope to be able to spend some time balancing all these commitments.  Life is short and therefore we have to do everything in moderation but I will certainly make time for balance.