Dubai long weekend

Dubai was our next stop after our wonderful few days in Oman. We decided to stopover for 2/3 days to catch up with family and friends and prolong the warm weather just a little longer before returning to the depths of winter.

We stayed in the Park Hyatt in Dubai Creek not far from the airport. It is a true oasis of calm and hard to believe you are situated in a busy bustling city. 

We had a room with a balcony overlooking the marina and the city skyline. Along with a swimming pool set in a lush tropical setting, there is the Lagoon which features an infinity pool and a private beach with view of the Burj Khalifa on the other side of the creek. Too bad we weren't there long enough to enjoy it.

The first evening we went to JBR and had an early dinner at Apron & Hammers where you can get a fab choice of fresh seafood and salads. We witnessed an amazing sunset with the most intense colours as we sat outdoors in the warm evening air. After dinner we took a walk over the bridge to the new Blue Waters Island which houses the Caesars Palace Hotel, shops and restaurants. The big wheel is not quite finished yet but will be the largest observation wheel in the world when it's up and running.

We made plans in advance to go to the top of the tallest building in the world, something I had done at night before but never during the day. It's always best to book as the ticket price is cheaper than if you turn up on the day.

The hotel provided a free buggy service to the main road where we could get the Metro to the Dubai Mall which is right next to the Burj Khalifa. The Metro is easy to use and very clean and efficient. You can either buy a single ticket or a metro card depending on your travel plans. There is one ladies only carriage which is at one end of the train but the rest is open to all. When you get off at the Dubai Mall/Burj Khalifa stop, it's good to know that it's approximately 20 minutes to walk to the mall - all under cover and with moving walkways. So if walking is not your thing, it's probably best to take a cab there as they are not expensive. 

We had lunch at Todd English overlooking the dancing fountains at the Mall prior to our ascent. Our tickets were booked for 2.30pm. We arrived early as suggested and still had to queue. It's a really busy attraction and it took approximately half and hour of waiting in line and security checks before we even got into the elevators which took us up to the 124th floor. The elevator ride is only 1 minute.
Needless to say the view from up there is spectacular and you can stay as long as you want.
Allow yourself a good amount of time if you visit.


We spent a little time at the Mall
afterwards then went back to the hotel to chill before dinner. We walked a few minutes along the marina to QD's live lounge where we had dinner and drinks al fresco with great music from the resident DJ and views of the Dubai skyline.

Yet another stunning 'winters' day in Dubai, we had breakfast overlooking the marina and set out for the airport to drop my friend off. I stayed on another day and hung out with the fam, grabbing a light bite and an oat cappuccino at a lovely wild food and juice bar Wild and the Moon in Alkersal Avenue followed by a visit to the Mall of Emirates to buy some Christmas goodies.

A quick but fab little visit to Dubai I headed to the airport carrying my winter coat ready for my return to the cold English winter. 

Muscat, Oman .. a breath of fresh air and some winter sun

It's been almost 2 weeks since I've been back from my Oman trip. It left such an impression on me that I've been at a loss as to where to start so here goes.

I can't say I've always wanted to go to Oman. It wasn't even on my radar until relatively recently when I heard a work colleague saying how lovely it was. I did some research and I was immediately hooked. The need for a relaxing winter sun holiday combined with a little culture, and not too crowded, Muscat seemed to fit this bill perfectly.

We flew to Dubai with Emirates and got a connecting flight to Muscat, just 40 minutes away. The new Oman International airport is 32km from where we stayed in the old part of town and being Friday (the start of their weekend) the roads were clear with the journey just under half an hour. 

Tucked away between the sea and the Al Hajar Mountains is the Al Bustan Palace. Now run by Ritz Carlton, it was once a palace and when you walk through the doors you can't help but notice the magnificent chandelier hanging down from the 125 foot dome in the lobby.

Its a beautiful quiet location and a perfect time of year to go. Daytime temperatures were 27C and evenings around 19-21C with low humidity. We were lucky to have missed the storm which ravaged the area a few days before and the beach was being restored the first couple of days we were there. This did not in any way impact the holiday and the pool was a perfect place to relax. They provide you with a cool box and free bottled water which was a nice touch.

The breakfasts were outstanding. Everything you could want and more and a great view of the pool and sea to start your day. I loved the fresh fruit and juices. In fact all the restaurants in the complex were excellent. There was a good variety including Chinese, Turkish and seafood, with freshly caught fish on the menu every day.

They have everything here including a number of shops on the lower level selling beachwear, artifacts, scarves etc. There is also a Spa accessed by buggy or about a 10 minute walk away which was an absolute sanctuary. Encompassing 33,000 sq. ft. and three levels within an Arabian fort-inspired structure, the resort’s Six Senses Spa offers a distinct wellness experience. The beachfront sanctuary pulls from Omani culture both for its design and its treatments, which feature locally sourced ingredients. Treatment rooms include six hammam rooms, and separate ladies’ and gentlemen’s relaxation areas feature infrared saunas, ice fountains and steam rooms.

I have tried a lot of spa treatments on my travels and can honestly say that this was one of the best experiences I have had.

Given that with all the above you could easily stay within the confines of the resort, we chose to get out and about. The hotel has a free shuttle to the Souq at Mutrah on a Monday evening so we hopped on board. It's a typical Arabian souq with everything on offer - local souvenirs, pashminas from India, jewellery, spices and clothing. It caters a lot for the cruise ships that dock in the harbour nearby so the vendors are very vocal in trying to entice you to come and buy their wares. We had time to go to a nearby Indian restaurant Kirkum and grab a bite to eat before heading back.

Tuesday morning we went on a free trip courtesy of the hotel to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque about 20 minutes drive away. Women are asked to dress conservatively so we made sure we were well covered and had a head scarf during our visit inside. You also have to remove your shoes so worth wearing something easily slipped off.

The Mosque is a stunningly beautiful piece of modern Islamic architecture with a magnificent central chandelier which is the largest I have ever seen. The colours and decorations in the main prayer hall give an air of tranquillity. The hand loomed carpet is also a thing of beauty and took 4 years to complete. The Mosque is definitely a must-see and a walk around the exterior is also recommended. There is no cost to enter.

Our next adventure took us out on a day trip to the desert approximately 200km away. Our concierge organised it for us and an Omani guide arrived promptly at 8am to take us on the 3 hour journey south east towards Bidiyah. It was an interesting drive through the countryside seeing various towns and villages along the way. As we got closer to our destination, we could see the red sands of the dunes in the distance. We stopped to have the air pressure reduced in the tyres of our 4 wheel drive so that we could navigate the fine sands and dunes of the desert. Our first stop was at a Bedouin tent and we went in for traditional Arabic coffee and dates at no charge. It was surprisingly cool under cover and a local woman was selling her wares inside which we were not obligated to buy. 

They asked us if we would like to ride a camel so having never done it before we decided to give it a try. It was an experience but not one I will repeat again as if I'd had time to think about it at the time would have rather donated to the upkeep of the animal than ride it. Just my feeling on it.

We sat on the ridge of a dune and looked over the amazing landscape, taking in the vastness, silence and serenity. I could have sat there all day but it was time to go to our next port of call, Wadi Bani Khalid. We had planned to go in for a swim but when we arrived it was crowded with local families picnicking and enjoying the beautiful weather. We soon realised it was the holidays in honour of Oman's National Day so decided instead to just stay for lunch and enjoy the view before our long journey back to Muscat. It's also useful to know that flip flops are not the best shoes to wear here.

We spent our last full day enjoying the pool at the hotel and the beach followed by our respective sessions at the fabulous Six Senses Spa and dinner at the Beach Pavillion Bar and Grill.

It was a truly magical 6 days and nights - perfect weather, beautiful sunrises and sunsets and hospitality second to none. If you think there's nothing to do in Oman think again. We only touched on a small section of it and if I get the opportunity to come back I would be there in a heartbeat. There is a vast country to explore - mountainous regions, ancient cities and subtropical climates down south a mere 1,000 kms away.

Oman quick facts Click on this link for all the info you need including where to apply for your Oman e-visa.

A weekend break in Norfolk with Scout the Holiday Hound

I love taking Scout away to the countryside where he is free to run as wild as he fancies. Seeing him bounding away like the wind in an open field or towards the breaking waves on the beach with a look of pure happiness on his face is so enjoyable to me.

I sourced a dog friendly property from Rural Retreats with whom I have booked with for the last two years. They always come up trumps with something suitable for my needs and affords me a true home from home experience. Why go away and settle for less than you already have? Living and working in the city I look forward to getting away to the peace and quiet of the country for a few days.

I chose 'The Treasury' a gorgeous one bedroom cottage on the Wolterton Hall Estate with about 500 acres of fields and woodlands in Norfolk and about 10 miles south of Cromer on the north coast. It has all you could want for a mini break - a lovely cosy sitting room with an open fire, a fully fitted kitchen, a spacious bedroom with ample storage, and a fabulous bathroom with a claw foot bath, a vaulted ceiling and under floor heating. They owners even provide a hamper with essentials like bread, milk, butter, eggs, cheese, tea, coffee, granola and preserves. 

There are shops within a few minutes drive away for anything else you might just want or you can bring your own supplies which is what I like to do. 

Scout could be walked anywhere on the grounds of the estate although they do suggest dogs are walked on leads near the livestock. The entrance from the road to the Hall is about half a mile along a pretty tree lined road with fields of sheep on either side.

About 5 minutes walk from the entrance of the estate is the Saracen's Head pub where they do bed and breakfast, lunch and dinner. They allow dogs into a separate part of the restaurant near the bar so Scout was allowed to come to dinner. I made sure to contact them a few days prior to going and they suggested reserving a table to ensure Scout could be accommodated. Bear in mind if you come to this part of the country that there are no streetlights so everything is virtually pitch black at night. Either drive or wear high visibility clothing for the walk and bring a torch.

The forecast rain stayed away for the most part which was fortuitous as it meant Scout and I had a beautiful walk around the estate in the morning before heading out for lunch at the Gunton Arms about 20 minutes drive away.

This dog friendly pub was once a country house in the 1,000 acre deer park surrounding Gunton Hall. Converted about 10 years ago, it is now a traditional pub with bed and breakfast with the room interiors designed by Robert Kime.

The owner's passion for art is seen throughout and you can see works by Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst, Lucian Freud to name but a few. The surrounding parkland also has sculpture by well known artists.

The current partners in the business previously worked at Mark Hix restaurants in London and have brought with them the principles of using local and seasonal products including seafood. In fact you will find that ethos a lot in this part of the world. It's so refreshing.

The Elk room of the restaurant has a magnificent set of antlers over the range where they cook venison from the deer park. I can only imagine the size of that giant specimen when he was alive!

I love fresh seafood and just had to have a Cromer crab salad to start followed by fish and chips. It was accompanied by their delicious version of mushy peas which was served slightly al dente with mint. 

The next day we drove to Cromer beach so that Scout could have a good run and a swim if he wanted. He did take a dip but I suspect the waves and maybe the cold put him off an actual swim. I love the joy in his face and his enthusiasm when he's beside the sea. I'm with him on that though. I adore being by the sea at any time of the year. There's something about being by the water that makes me feel positive and elated.

The great thing about staying in a self contained cottage is the ability to treat is as your home so that if you fancy a cozy night in you can cook yourself a meal and relax by the fire with a glass of wine which is exactly what we did for the last night of the weekend. Scout was pooped from his beach adventure and happily stretched out on his bed and slept like a baby.


Before leaving the next day we had one last walk around the estate on a beautiful, crisp cold, misty morning. There was not a sound to be heard other than our footsteps on the carpet of fallen leaves. No cars or planes flying overhead - the silence was almost deafening and only sometimes punctuated with the cry of a bird or a sheep baa-ing in the distance. 

It was a wonderful retreat from the constant hum of the city and I would love to come back to this area again and spend more time exploring. There is so much to see and do in this part of the country and we only touched on a small portion of it. 

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Rural Retreats - Self catering luxury cottages in the UK and Ireland

https://www.ruralretreats.co.uk

Wolterton Hall - Historic Georgian Estate

https://www.woltertonpark.co.uk

The Saracen's Head - 200 year old Georgian Inn, Wolterton

http://www.saracenshead-norfolk.co.uk/index.php

The Gunton Arms - Traditional pub with bedrooms, Thorpe Market

https://www.theguntonarms.co.uk

Cromer Beach - Traditional Victorian seaside resort

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g609059-d4424648-Reviews-Cromer_Beach-Cromer_Norfolk_East_Anglia_England.html

Norfolk's top 10 beaches
https://www.visitnorfolk.co.uk/inspire/top-10-beaches.aspx

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Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen .. weekend break

This has been the year of weekends away for me. It's a great way to break up the work life treadmill because a couple of days out of your normal routine can feel like a week depending on how much you are able to cram in to the available time.

Copenhagen has been on my list for a long time. My best friend and frequent travel companion and I picked this last weekend just gone to go. Flights are reasonable at this time of year, and although we had no idea how the weather would pan out, we were so lucky to get beautiful late September sunshine for the two days we were there. We stayed at the Copenhagen Marriott, which is in a great location right on the river and within easy reach of the city centre and the train station. You can get a train directly from the airport for 36DKK (approx. £4 or US$5) which takes 15 minutes.

Deciding what to do is key with the time you have available. We had no desire to shop, although it's always nice to see what's around, so we made the choice to head out of town about an hour north  on the train to visit the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. I had heard so many positive things about it and it was perfectly doable for day one and yet still have time to do the other things on our list.

Our day started with breakfast at the hotel, in the Midtown Grill. We wanted an authentic Danish pastry and I have to say it was the freshest, lightest pastry I have ever tasted.

We walked the few minutes to the station and  bought a combined ticket which included our return train journey and museum entrance fee for 210DKK each (approx. £26 or US$32 at current exchange rate).

With a Museum ticket each paying adult can bring two children under 12 years on the train and travel free of charge. Children over 12 have to pay for the train ticket but can get free admission to the museum if they are under 18.

The walk from Humlebæk Station to the museum takes about 10 minutes. There was a line for ticket purchase but having pre purchased ours we could just walk in. The museum exhibits mostly modern art and sculpture from the mid-twentieth century to the present from its own extensive collection and a variety of temporary exhibitions. The house and grounds are beautiful with woodland trails and sculptures around every corner. We were lucky to have such a beautiful clear day and could see Sweden across the water.

The café overlooking the sea to Sweden was very busy given the day that we had so we didn't stop for coffee, but it was the perfect place for a picnic and some last of the summer sunshine to enjoy.

We strolled back to the station and returned to Copenhagen early afternoon. Feeling a little peckish we walked to the Tivoli Hotel for lunch at the rooftop restaurant Sticks n Sushi Skybar, where you can get a great view of the river and the city.

There was a wide choice of dishes on the menu and we took some recommendations from the staff. Hotate kataifi - scallops, miso aioli, trout roe and cress, Ebi bites (right) - tempura shrimp and Imo Yaki (right) - sweet potato teriyaki. All absolutely delicious and just enough for lunch.

I definitely plan to go to the new Soho restaurant when it opens in October!

After lunch, we headed into the centre of town to have a walk around and take in the sites and culture. There are people riding bikes and bike lanes everywhere so do take care when walking and stick to the sidewalks. Saturday afternoon was very busy, even though a lot of the shops close at 4pm. People were out in the autumnal sunshine and enjoying the outdoor cafes and bars. We went into the Illum department store and decided to head to the rooftop where there are a number of different restaurants and bars to choose from.

As you can imagine, it was quite busy but we managed to get a table on the outdoor roof terrace at Brasserie Jacobsen where we enjoyed a glass or two of our favourite Whispering Angel rose. I can understand why it's called the city's coolest rooftop with the best view in town. With a DJ playing fab tunes and a diverse mix of clientele, it's a lovely place just to hang out.

We still wanted to get to the see the Little Mermaid situated at Langelinie promenade at the end of the harbour. It was about a half hour away by foot, so we started our walk as the sun was going down and hoped that we would make it before it actually went dark. It was so beautiful along the waterfront witnessing the changing light of the evening.

I have always wanted to see this iconic statue, based on the fairy tale by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen about a mermaid becoming human. It has been in existence since 1913 and was created by sculptor Edvard Eriksen.

We continued our walk at pace as the sky dimmed by the minute and we made it in time. We were so glad to see it in the fading light. Another childhood dream fulfilled.

From there we hailed a cab. We were done with the walking after clocking up over 20,000 steps during the day. We went to a recommended fish restaurant in the Meatpacking district Kødbyens Fiskebar. Serving fresh seafood they have a preference for choosing local and sustainable products. My friend had Danish Oysters and I had fish and chips. Delicious food and wines with a buzzy atmosphere and we even bought the t-shirt!

Day 2 and with a few hours to spare before our respective journeys home, we visited the Danish Museum of Art and Design. The building it is housed in was once a hospital and it sort of has that stark feel about it. There are lockers to leave your bags in as they don't like you to carry anything remotely big inside. Entrance is 115 DKK (approx. £14 US$17). Free if you are under 26. You will need a 20 DKK coin to lock it and retrieve the key but you get it back afterwards.

The museum has an extensive permanent collection of Danish designed furniture - predominantly chairs, arts and crafts, lighting, porcelain, books and a current exhibition until December on the Bauhaus Centenary. There is also an interesting shop and lovely café with an outdoor area to sit if the weather is nice. They are closed on a Monday.

We went back to the hotel to check out and had lunch and the obligatory glass of champagne outdoors in the sunshine overlooking the river. A perfect way to end a wonderful weekend away.

Today is the autumnal equinox when the sun is over the equator and marks the official start of autumn here in the northern hemisphere. Days are getting shorter and darker and winter is on the horizon.

In just under 2 months, I'll be heading a little further afield to a more exotic location and some winter sunshine which I cannot wait to see, experience and tell you about.

The S word .. September, Solheim Cup, Scotland and Success for Team Europe!

I had the great pleasure in being a part of the Solheim Cup makeup team this year for Sky Sports. The event was held at the prestigious PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles in Perthshire, Scotland. Having been there before, I did my first ever golf Outside Broadcast for the Ryder Cup in 2014. I love Scotland and all it's rugged beauty and Gleneagles is set in the most beautiful location. Golfing is just a small part of the many activities and pursuits available on the estate so if it's not your thing that shouldn't restrict you from visiting.

We travelled up the day before the Opening Ceremony so that we could set up and be ready for it and the following three days of the championship. You could feel the excitement building as the Ceremony got underway with the band Texas belting out some of their well known hits before the teams were introduced. 

Our make up cabin was situated right by the lake with a stunning view extending out to the Gleneagles hotel and beautifully managed lawns and gardens.

Day 1 of the championship we were up at 4am and ready for our half hour coach transfer from where we were staying in Stirling. The upside of getting up at this hour was witnessing the stunning sunrise. Most of the time we were blessed with perfect autumn days with the exception of day 2 when the gale force winds blasted through the cold air and brought a smattering of rain with it.

Our early starts meant that we could also have one day when we could finish early and have some free time to explore the area if we wished. My afternoon off was spent with some of the camera crew. We decided to visit the National Wallace Monument in Stirling and we couldn't have picked a nicer day to do it. The Monument has existed for 150 years and is an imposing tower on top of a hill which overlooks the scene of Scotland's victory of the Battle of Stirling Bridge.

Instead of taking the mini bus to the top, we chose to walk up the winding path of the woodcarving trail through the woodland which documents Stirling's history from the Ice Age to the building of the monument. In the year 5,000 BC the bones of a whale were washed up on the prehistoric shoreline at the Carse of Stirling, hence the woodcarving we are standing by on the right.

From there we walked about 20 mins into Stirling to a recommended pub called the Birds and Bees where we sat outside in the autumn sunshine and enjoyed a drink. Once the sun started to dip and it got a little cool, we hopped in a taxi which took us to the Bridge of Allan to another recommended pub/restaurant the Westerton Arms where we had a lovely meal.

We were back at our hotel by 8pm as we had to make sure we were up again at 4am the next morning for Day 2 and prepared for the forecast of wind and rain.

Day 3 and the final day brought the perfect weather back again and an exciting, nail biting finish when Team Europe secured the victory over Team USA at the last hole winning by just 1 point. What a way to end a competition!

Make up kit packed and ready to go, de-rig underway we were heading back to Stirling as the sun went down to pack our belongings and grab a celebratory drink with the crew before our coach transfer to Edinburgh the following morning for our flight home.

The people of Scotland as always were warm, welcoming and hospitable - thanks for another great experience at a golf tournament. See you again next time!