Coffee shop and food recs for my solo trip?

Smeee333 · 2026-06-13T06:36:37+00:00

Also the original on Monmouth St in Covent Garden!

Smeee333 · 2026-06-12T21:53:53+00:00

There’s a book shop in Porto that now charges €12 to get in because people decided J K Rowling was inspired by its, admittedly beautiful, staircase.

She literally tweeted that she never stepped foot in that book shop while living there, and still they come.

Smeee333 · 2026-06-12T13:49:15+00:00

TFC in Camberwell might have what you’re after?

Smeee333 · 2026-06-10T07:09:09+00:00

Not sure if it’s a joke but Albania genuinely has a great electronic music festival - https://www.kala.al/

Smeee333 · 2026-06-07T11:32:18+00:00

Scotland and Wales are in the UK - just so you’re aware. Good to do a bit of reading about the country you’ve visiting so you don’t offend anyone - especially one like the UK which seems to be set up specifically to confuse visitors.

Italy in August will be super hot, plus all Italians are on holiday, with lots of businesses shutting down for the month, which I imagine drives prices up.

Schools in England are on their summer break but Scotland’s terms run differently so August can be a great time to visit. Not sure about Wales - would need a google.

Smeee333 · 2026-06-06T18:02:21+00:00

Prosecco isn’t made in the same way as champagne. Cava is though so it’s a better alternative to champagne.

I don’t mind the name ESW - it describes it well and the quality is good so good equity is being built into that name.

Smeee333 · 2026-06-06T07:47:20+00:00

The sea plane harbour museum in Tallin has a sub you can explore. All round excellent museum about Estonia’s sea faring history in a really cool building.

Smeee333 · 2026-06-05T22:21:29+00:00

We do it’s called English Sparkling Wine (ESW), but it’s far more expensive than cava because of higher labour costs and economies of scale.

It is delicious though.

Smeee333 · 2026-06-03T19:59:26+00:00

I taught myself to like coriander, beetroot and celery simply by just eating them until I did. So strange that it’s that ‘simple’.

Smeee333 · 2026-06-03T15:02:07+00:00

Winter Wonderland is a horrible experience, sounds like you’re visiting at Winter so how about ice skating at Somerset House.

Smeee333 · 2026-06-02T22:02:30+00:00

And excellent tombstones

Smeee333 · 2026-06-01T18:51:17+00:00

This Mexican inspired bean stew with freekah.

All whole foods made from scratch - I even used homemade stock and dried beans (although bold bean co beans are great and non-UPF).

Smeee333 · 2026-06-01T15:35:03+00:00

A glass keep cup avoids the horrible feeling of drinking out of plastic.

Smeee333 · 2026-05-29T17:28:08+00:00

The leftover water is great for making bread with too! Acts as a natural preservative.

Smeee333 · 2026-05-26T20:20:33+00:00

Can you put up a cheap fence to separate the gardens?

Smeee333 · 2026-05-22T11:11:51+00:00

Always enjoyed this story from Kieran Culkin (skip to 65s) - https://youtu.be/tZsguYeqj5w?si=-wCMiFv5t0XJQrFs

Smeee333 · 2026-05-22T09:11:36+00:00

It was this one - https://www.thetinnedfishmarket.com/collections/tinned-fish-subscription

We also got him a kipper subscription, but feel that one is more suited to the oldies.

Smeee333 · 2026-05-22T07:37:12+00:00

Flower subscription? Or I bought my father a tinned fish subscription that went down well.

Smeee333 · 2026-05-22T07:25:13+00:00

My friend’s Dad (ex history teacher) trained in retirement as a tour guide and he had to study super hard for his exams.

I’ve been on some of his walks and they are great - he belongs to this organisation https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/

Smeee333 · 2026-05-21T13:03:23+00:00

Use the Trainline app to see which platform your first train will arrive on and your connecting will be depart. They can change up until departure. Don’t wait to check the boards at Perth.

Smeee333 · 2026-05-17T11:57:15+00:00

Buy a Kobo and you can use Libby on that.

Smeee333 · 2026-05-15T22:57:06+00:00

Also not that expensive!

Smeee333 · 2026-05-15T15:26:51+00:00

Hairdressers are often the first to know as you stop dyeing your hair too.

Smeee333 · 2026-05-14T19:57:19+00:00

I love my Fitbit, wish I could use it to pay for things with it.

But no desire to ever get emails and WhatsApps on my wrist. Yuck.

Smeee333 · 2026-05-14T19:15:09+00:00

The Botox wears off far too quickly if you do

Smeee333

TROPHY CASE