When thinking of Windsor, people tend to think of Windsor Castle and the home of British royalty but there is so much more going on in this historic town. Windsor is also the home of LEGOLAND which has become one of the UK’s most popular tourist destinations, and the Royal Windsor Wheel, a semi-permanent Ferris-wheel that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. It is an idyllic and beautiful tourist town well suited for weekend breaks with a great range of hotels. If you are seeking royal treatment in this royal town however, then Millennium Hotels come as recommended for a Windsor hotel – their offering of the Copthorne Hotel, Slough Windsor is situated within easy reach of all the local attractions and major transport hubs and is a bit of an attraction in itself!

Once you’ve settled in to your accommodation, here are some tips on where to visit and how to make the most of your time in Windsor.

Windsor Castle by Konqui

1)   Windsor Castle: the world’s oldest and largest inhabited castle and the favourite home of the Queen. The castle is much larger than would be expected so it is well worth paying for a tour. The highlight of any trip here will be the famous ‘changing of the guard’ ceremony whereby the guards change accompanied by a marching band.

2)   Windsor town centre: with the castle situated in the heart of the town it is worth exploring the rest of Windsor. This town is full of history with sights such as the Old King’s Head which has a plaque recording the execution warrant of King Charles II and the Guildhall built by Christopher Wren. With cobbled streets and tea rooms, the town centre evokes charm and wonder representing the epitome of English culture.

3)  Legoland: one of the UK’s most popular tourist attractions and is a perfect day out for the family. The theme park has over 50 rides, as well as live shows and building workshops that will no doubt leave your children wanting more.

4)   Ascot Race Course: the world renowned race is just down the road and easily accessible.  It’s well worth the trip if you are looking for more adult entertainment. The races here are the epitome of high society in England and the highlight of the racing calendar.  Well worth the money if you want to dress up for the day and enjoy some fine wining and dining.

This article is brought to you by Millenium Hotels.

Almost as soon as we set off I knew I was a lot less fit than I had foolishly imagined myself to be. Working in and around the Cumbrian fells of the Lake District I seem to be under some sort of delusion that simply looking at those hills could make me fit … Having decided to go for a ‘proper’ walk this Bank Holiday weekend, a friend and I set off up Latterbarrow.  For those of you familiar with this particular l’al fell you’ll know it’s hardly in the same league as Scafell or Helvellyn, but for a part-time hiker like me, it was more than big enough.

I’d recently been given a pair of walking boots to try out so this was their first real test.  Before Christmas I had hurt my foot (falling down stairs and no, there was no alcohol involved, honest) and have not been able to do much walking since.  So now I needed something that would give my left foot some support and not be too clumpy to weigh me down.  Must admit, their name was rather daunting for a wimpy walker like me – the Hi-Tec Altitude IV WPi NT Enviro - did that mean I HAD to climb to high altitude? The 4th version? What was WPi?!  However, I did know what the NT stood for = National Trust, because they have collaborated with Hi-Tec to produce this “environmentally considered walking boot.”  Now. I’ll leave you to read all about “their naturally dyed reduced chrome leather uppers, recycled metal steel shanks and a durable recycled rubber content outsole”; suffice to say that they look good, feel very strong & supportive and certainly helped me make it to the top of that fell.

So, with plenty of stops en route to ‘admire the view’ we finally made it.  Stretched out on the mossy, rocky ground, rather breathless, with the Lake District fells all around, the views were so worth the effort.  Supremely gorgeous, laid out below us on one side was Windermere, sprawling sinuously out from Ambleside towards Bowness with toy yachts and dingies drifting about in the spring breeze. In the other direction the mighty Langdales swooped and crinkled away in the distance, with the cluster of quaint grey and white temptations that is Hawskead village snuggled cosily below.  A young lad and his parents came wandering up to the large cairn and posed for their celebratory photos before settling down to an impromptu picnic, no doubt feeling, as we did, that the effort to make it that far, definitely deserved a ham sandwich and a relaxing few minutes to enjoy the moment …

It’s a real pleasure to be hosting a series of interviews with some very special Holiday Homeowners from around the world.  They will share with you their reasons for loving where their holiday homes are situated,  best-kept quirky travel secrets and top tips for making the most of your stay.  

Nicky Anson and Phil Bryant  made Istria, Croatia their home after many hectic years running their own marketing agency in Antwerp. Amidst its rocky coastline and lush landscape they discovered the more laid-back, outdoor lifestyle they were looking for;  somewhere they could relax on outdoor sofas, lunch on the terrace and enjoy an afternoon swim.

After several years, Nicky and Phil realised what a fantastic holiday location this was and launched a holiday rentals business, alongside a blog chronicling their experiences, Liveistria.com.  They now offer two beautiful properties to guests on HomeAway.co.uk  ‘The Little House’ and a traditional stone cottage in Brnobici.

Here, Nicky talks about what first drew them to this “sweet spot” of the Med, why you should go, the region’s best kept secrets, and her favourite places to hang out.

What first made you fall in love with Istria and why should people come here?

When we first came here, Istria completely won my heart. I’d always thought the Med was dry and dusty, but Istria is green and covered with wonderful oak forests. Its rocky coastline, with pines growing down to the sea, is exquisite. 

Inland, it’s full of time-forgotten, stone villages and along the coast you’ll find magnificent Venetian seaside towns. Here, the pace of life is slower and the quality of life higher: there’s less traffic and more trees, and wild flowers still grow in the hedgerows. It’s a special part of Europe, a “sweet spot” in the Med; far enough south to have long, warm summers, yet without the searing heat of further down.

What’s the best-kept secret you would tell any visitors not to miss?

I’ve just discovered Pula Aquarium, a fascinating attraction in an old fort on the coast, which is a great place to find out about the Adriatic Sea and is home to Croatia’s only marine turtle rescue centre.  Also, most tourists stick to the coast, but the true Istrian gems are the inland villages. Grožnjan, Motovun and Hum are the ‘big three’ on the tourist trail, but try Draguć, Sv. Lovreč, Roč and Gračišće, and you’ll escape to a world where time’s stood still.

Another special place is Dvigrad, which was abandoned in the 17^th Century when its population moved out to escape the plague. Today only local tourists seem to know about this atmospheric ruined town.

Where’s the best place to go to just ‘hang out’, people watch and generally soak up the atmosphere?

For some buzz, Poreč sea front is the place to see and be seen. Have a coffee in café Epoca and watch the world parade past.My favourite local restaurant is Konoba Monica in Žbandaj, just outside Poreč. The food’s fantastic, the portions huge and the prices unbelievably cheap. Very few tourists find it and most guests are locals. Owner Biljana speaks very little English, but will make you very welcome. Also in Žbandaj is Konoba Kaštel, one of Istria’s oldest restaurants offering locally-sourced, traditional food.

What would you recommend visitors treat themselves to while they’re there, or take home as a souvenir?

Istria has been famous for its olive oil since Roman times and it still wins many prizes today, so if you can, take a bottle home. Small bottles of various types are available in the supermarkets.  Also try one of the local rakijas (‘grappa’ in Italian). Distilled from grape residue from wine production, it’s then flavoured to produce a wide range of aperitifs and liqueurs. Very common is medica, flavoured with honey, but my favourite is the jet black orahovac, flavoured with walnut. Also available are unusual biska (mistletoe), šlivovic (plum) and kruškovac (pear), to name just a few.

Finally, what are the most ‘quirky’ things to do, see, visit or experience here?

For something unusual to do, try spreading your beard (pretend if you don’t have one!) on Tinjan’s old stone table. Villagers used to elect their mayor this way. A flea was released in the middle and whoever’s beard it jumped in to became mayor. It’s a great spot to enjoy the view over the dramatic Draga valley, Tinjan is a charming little village and there’s even a konoba for a refreshing drink. 

If culture’s your thing, go to see the 14^th C frescos in Beram. These Renaissance masterpieces are in a gorgeous little chapel just outside the village. You may be lucky and find it open, but if not you need to go and ask for the key in the village – an adventure in itself!  You can also visit the island of Brijuni which used to be Tito’s holiday island and can be explored today on a little tourist train. A mixture of safari park and history lesson, it’s definitely quirky!

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Holiday Homeowner Q&A is bought to you by www.HomeAway.co.uk, the UK’s leading holiday rentals website with over 300,000 properties worldwide. From cute studios and city apartments to rural cottages and country homes, large luxury villas, quirky conversions and more, there are thousands of unique places to enjoy a more authentic and unusual holiday.

“Can we take our water bottles through?”

“Pardon?”

“Can we take our water bottles through security?”

“Oh yes, of course you can. You can take anything you like – bottle of champagne if you fancy it!”

And all this with a friendly smile and a wave through Customs … What  a difference this was from the usual hectic, growly, stressing, nerve-jangling ordeal that is airport departure these days.  I was with a group of journalists on at trip by Stena Line Ferry on our way to Holland, and already I was a very happy traveller.  We’d met up at Liverpool Street Station in London a couple of hours earlier and got the train to Harwich – an easy enough journey through rather unprepossessing English scenery.  I could not believe how quick, quiet and yes, friendly the Check In process was – within 10 minutes we were being directed to our cabins by smiling crew members.  Now this is what all travel should be like …

After a speedy change it was back down to the swanky Taste restaurant for dinner. None of your laptop meals here.   With fresh crab starter, fillet steak and passion fruit meringue I was in seventh heaven. It was only when someone said, “Oh look, the boat’s moving,” that we realised we had actually set off on our overnight journey across the North Sea.  Dining at sea like this is to be highly recommended.

We had a quick look outside at the disappearing lights of Harwich Harbour before we went off to bed.  It’s years since I’ve been on a ferry and things have certainly improved a lot since then.  I’d been rather spoilt with a very special cruise to Norway last year but this sea voyage did not disappoint.  Most surprising was the really comfy double bed with TV and en-suite bathroom. Through the large window I could watch the seas roll by.  Scrolling through the TV I found the Pets Channel – here there are cameras trained on the cages all through the trip so owners can see for themselves how their beloved animals are doing. I got quite fixated with a slender little dog as he settled down to sleep whilst we sailed steadily and smoothly towards Holland …

Now being woken at 6am by the chirpy sound of ‘Don’t worry, be happy’ through a tannoy system above your head may not be your idea of heaven, but there are worse ways … I finally dragged myself out of bed at 7am just in time to grab a cooked breakfast before disembarkation at the Hoek of Holland.  I had honestly had no idea I’d been at sea all night – as smooth a crossing as the North Sea has ever produced.  We all went outside to watch the final stages of docking alongside the ferry terminal – it was a glorious morning and we would be on our way by train to Amsterdam in no time at all.

If you have ever been frustrated with the hassle at airports (who hasn’t?), love slow travel and relish the journey as much as the destination, take to tip from me and go by ferry to Holland – it’s a travel experience to relish …

Find out more about my time in Amsterdam in this post for LateRooms Blog and watch out for more articles here!

Going on an adventure doesn’t necessarily have to involve flights, airport transfers and a trip to the bureau de change. Our small isle of Great Britain has so much to offer that it can fill days and weeks of your time and give you the most rewarding experience.

However it’s easy to take the history, variety of cultures and different regional quirks of Great Britain for granted, which is exactly what Allianz Your Cover Insurance found Brits are doing in their recent study. According to their research, Brits are not planning to take any more day trips or weekend breaks this year compared to 2011, which is surprising that given the extra long bank holidays, as well as all the free community and nationwide parties and events that are being held to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee and Olympics.

In fact the research has found that most Brits think their weekends as boring and blame a lack of planning, time and cash for their shortage of fun.  What we need to do is follow the example of older generations who appear to have the most adventurous spirit! People aged 55+ are most likely to be enjoying the year ahead with an average of five day trips already planned. This age group are also most willing to drive the furthest for a day trip and weekend away.  In fact, while the majority (91%) of Brits use their cars to go away at the weekend, they’re only prepared to travel an average of 58 miles, limiting their options for exploring.

In response,  Allianz Your Cover Insurance has launched its Great British Weekends campaign to encourage Brits to overcome weekend boredom by getting everyone to get out and about to make the most of their weekends.  Andy James of Allianz Your Cover says, “We want to instil a renewed sense of adventure in Britons’ weekends and encourage us all to make the most of whatBritainhas to offer. We are a nation that is known for ‘living for the weekend’ however it turns out that when it gets to the weekend most Brits are wasting it. We are launching our Great British Weekend campaign to highlight the potential fun there is to have at the weekend by uncovering new places or having new experiences.”

To join in the Great British Weekends campaign visit Allianz Your Cover Insurance’s Facebook page  or follow @YourCoverUK on Twitter.

This post is brought to you by Allianz Your Cover Insurance, a new breed of insurance product, offering cover that customers select to precisely match their own lifestyle and circumstances.

In January this year I was invited to take part in 6 Challenges by Dan Brown of The Kendal Courier, the newly relaunched local magazine for Kendal and the south Lake District, Cumbria.  For each edition I agreed to do an activity that would push me out of my comfort zone, add a dash of spice to life and showcase some of the wide variety of exciting and, yes, occasionally scary, things there are to do in this stunningly lovely part of the world.  Here’s the article that appeared after my first challenge …

Teetering at the top of a steep, slippery slope in The Tank is guaranteed to get the adrenalin rushing.  I was at Holmescales Adventure Centre being taught how to drive The Tank.  Well, an FV432 Armoured Personnel Carrier if you want to be pedantic – but it was a tank to me!  This was definitely one of the quirkiest driving adventures I’d ever had.

On arrival I was given a briefing on the vehicle (1960s,British, V12 engine, max speed 22mph, weighing about 12 tons if you must know) and what we would be doing,  Whilst eating the most divine chocolate brownie (locally made, delicious food) I signed the usual disclaimer and then we were off in the Land Rover to the Tank Circuit.

The setting for the course is breath-taking.  Holmescales is surrounded by beautiful Cumbrian scenery with the Lake District fells to one side and Morecambe Bay glittering away in the distance.  Wayne hauled me aboard and showed me inside.  It was VERY muddy and basic. The gun had been removed (shame!) so up to 8 people can stand up and look out.  It’s really easy to operate – just two metal ‘sticks’ to pull up or down to turn left and right.  After Wayne had given a demo it was my turn.  It’s on a rough circuit with some ups and downs and was so much fun.

“Now pull the stick to the right as we go down the hill,” said Wayne as I felt we were about to topple over … and we trundled heavily and safely into the last section of the course.  It took a bit of effort to keep The Tank on track and it was incredibly noisy, but the excitement of being in control of this brute of a machine is priceless.  Highly recommended for all ages – the kind of challenge that everyone can do!

Thanks to the current economical climate, more and more people are finding ways to enjoy cheap holidays in the United Kingdom. With over 240,000 square miles of magnificent scenery, there’s little wonder why. Of course, a holiday can be made just that little bit extra special if it saves you money without having to pinch the towels and dressing gown from your hotel room.

Go via coach.

Not only does going on a coach holiday save you money, but it can also save you time and effort. Naturally, some people find going on an airplane quite luxurious but at the moment, aeroplane companies are far more bothered about bums on seats rather than customer service! Due to the demand and competition in the coach tour industry, companies are having to make a greater effort to ensure their customers enjoy themselves and choose their business over their competitors. Coach tours with National Holidays for example, can not only save you money, but also vastly improve the quality of your holiday.

Visit Free Attractions.

Throughout the United Kingdom, and London especially, you will find a whole variety of exciting and interesting attractions that you can visit absolutely free of charge. The Tate Modern Art Gallery, for example, is totally free and is the most visited art gallery in the world, with well over four million visitors every year. Be careful though; they make up for the free entry with some powerfully expensive sandwiches, maybe take a packed lunch.

Take a few of you.

Weekend holiday excursions can be a brilliant time to go on holiday with your friends. Of course, the more of you there is, the cheaper the price of your holiday will be. Quite often you will be able to find hotels which can cater for up to five people per room. If you can bear the queue for the bathroom in the morning and potential snoring-based sleep deprivation, then sharing your expenses is a brilliant and convenient way of saving those pennies for the pub!

Check out online forums.

Saving money is great, but if you get to your hotel and find it somewhat not quite as you expected (see The Inbetweeners Movie), you might be more than a little miffed. Searching the internet for reviews and opinions is a great way of finding out what your hotel will be like and what you can expect when you get there, ensuring that you won’t end up on Holidays From Hell. Of course, once you’ve been you can also inform other people of the delights or pitfalls of your holidaying experience. Although quite often, in contrast to popular opinion, hotels do actually monitor their reviews and will quite often make amends to their services once that they have been critiqued; it is always best to leave a note for them, whether happy or sad. Beware of hotel managers who respond to critical messages by blowing their top and savaging the poor reviewer, they’re probably not going to be masters of customer service.

Manage when you book.

Booking a few months before your holiday is a great way to save you money. Not only will you find all the best offers (with the luxury of being able to browse around), but most holiday companies have quotas that they have to fill to ensure that all their seats are filled and therefore lower their prices. On the other hand, booking late can also save you money and the later that you do it, the more money you will save as you shall be filling the last few spaces!

Steal the soap from the bathroom  A timeless classic

This article is brought to you by Dave Hellowell for National Holidays, the coach holidays company.  You can follow them on Twitter @coachtripss

Was it that unpronounceable volcanic eruption that brought Iceland into mainstream travel notice? Or maybe their spectacular banking debacle that created headline news; whatever the reason, suddenly everyone is talking about this latest must-see destination. Old Iceland hands may feel slightly put out as their secret world opens up to so many others, but for the rest of us, what is the fuss all about?  I recently visited for a few days on one of easyJet’s first flights to Iceland and got a brief glimpse of just what makes this country so extra-special.

Its scenery is starkly dramatic, with vast areas of wilderness, often ice-covered, that create time and space to relax and reconnect with what’s important in life.  There are plenty of crazy outdoor activities to satisfy even the most dedicated thrill seeker, including snowmobiling, glacial hiking, ice climbing and white-water rafting.  With thousands of sturdy horses all over the island those who fancy riding have plenty of opportunity.  The thermal pools, including the internationally renowned Blue Lagoon, provide rejuvenating spa treatments and health benefits.  The capital, Reykjavik, has got enough bars and restaurants to satisfy every taste and culture vultures should be very happy as there appear to be concert halls, museums and art galleries on every corner. Icelandic Sagas seem to permeate every inch of the country and every fibre of the quirky, friendly, intrepid people who live in this dramatic island on the edge of the world.  And, if you are really fortunate, you may get to see the luminously sinuous kaleidoscope of colour that is the Aurora Borealis …

It’s very easy for a first time visitor to get a flavour of the place by doing ‘The Golden Circle’ – a relatively short trip that takes in a trio of the most iconic sights in Iceland.  I went on a tour of this area with a charmingly bonkers guide called Villy, who told us mind-boggling stories of evil trolls, malevolent elves and people who went mad on a seemingly regular basis with hardly any provocation whatsoever …  the ancient tradition of story-telling is obviously alive and well in this fascinating land of quirky contrasts.

The first of the sights is Geysir Hot Springs at Haukadalur, a geothermal area of steaming land and bubbling mud pools.  The original ‘Geysir’, granddaddy of all other geysers, is now in retirement but its grandson, Strokkur, sends up a whooshingly spectacular plume of hot water and steam 30 meters into the air every few minutes. Watch out for the intensely blue bubble that bursts just before the jet explodes.  Take time to wander over to the colourful sulphur pools, pay homage to the old ‘Geysir’ simmering nearby and discover ‘Litl Geysi’r, merrily hissing and gurgling all but unnoticed beside the path.

A short distance on is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Europe – Gulfoss, the Golden Waterfall.  On an L-shaped bend in the Hvitá River, the falls cascade in glorious abandon 32 meters down in two stages, hurling out thunderous spray in a permanent cacophony of rainbows and mist.  Taking a bit of a scramble, it is possible to get up close and feel the power of nature as well as getting drenched in style.

Driving west through ancient landscapes with ice-capped volcanoes looming on the the horizon, you see the tiny birch trees – more like scrubby bushes – that were the only indigenous trees on this island and meant early Viking settlers had to import all their wood  for house and boat building.  The final stage of this tour is also the most significant and symbolic to Icelanders.  Þingvellir National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site close to Lake Þingvillaten.  For centuries it was the site of the Alþingi, national Parliament and said to be the oldest in the world.  The Parliament Fields are situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the continents of Europe and America are slowly but surely drifting apart, causing all that volcanic and earthquake activity.  Wander around this evocative park and take time to stand and stare at the crystal clear waters and vibrantly green moss that clings to the old lava rocks.

If you get time, have lunch at Lindin Bistro at Laugarten; it’s a Michelin starred restaurant without attitude – just excellent local produce and seasonal specialities prepared and presented with care and love.  The bread is baked in the ground by the nearby hot springs and their lobster bisque is divine.

I stayed at the lovely 4 star Hotel Borg in the heart of Reykjavik, on the main square, close by all the bars, restaurants, port and cultural sights.  Watch out for the upcoming post on this fascinating city.  Now it’s even easier and cheaper to get to Iceland from Europe as EasyJet has opened up a new route bringing in welcome visitors to experience these sights and so much more.  I flew with them from Luton to Reykjavik – they have flights 3 times a week all year round and can arrange holiday packages for all budgets.  It’s a fascinating country that truly deserves the word ‘unique’ – go and see for yourself just how very quirky and special it is!

As a travel writer I often have to eat out on my own; it’s usually fine during the day but I have to admit that the evenings can drag, especially when there has been a lot going on in the day and I’d like to share it with someone.  Also, as a women, I sometimes feel a bit awkward sitting at the table alone (yes, I know I shouldn’t but I do!) and often spend time on my phone or reading a book just so I have something to do.  So I was very interested to hear about a new website that connects women who want to share a meal instead of eating on their own.  Founder Cressida Howard tells you all about it here. 

Eating alone when you don’t want to may soon be a thing of the past. If you’re a woman who has travelled alone and sat bored, fidgeting, or hiding behind a book at a table for one, then read on and know that help is at hand.  Invite For A Bite is a new social network for women that’s all about taking the sting out of solo dining. It’s simple: create an invite to meet and eat, and see who’s up for joining you. Use it whether you’re stuck at home or travelling thousands of miles away.

Take a moment to imagine an Invite For A Bite world and then decide if it’s for you. You’re travelling alone, having a fantastic time. But the evening shadows are falling. Do you want to go into a bar alone? Do you want to sit at a candlelit table for one surrounded by other people having fun? Or do you want to meet some new and friendly faces, have a chat, talk about what you’ve seen and where you’re going tomorrow?

Call me quirky but I’d like to do the latter! That’s why I launched Invite For A Bite on March 8th this year (International Women’s Day for you date spotters!). I’ve created the site that I wanted to join. It’s women-only because I like to keep things simple. A simple meal out with a friendly person. No mixed messages or quasi-dates to negotiate. Just an evening (or lunch if you prefer!) in the company of other women. With quite a few laughs thrown in.  Can’t you feel your shoulders relaxing at the thought? 

If, like me, you find this appealing, then you’re not alone. Women from all over the world have already joined up. They’re in America, Mexico, Germany, Scotland, Canada, England, Vietnam and beyond!  They’ve already created invites in New York, Toronto, LA, Galway and Addis Ababa (to name a few). Join these pioneering women and make the days of eating out alone a thing of the past!

Cressida Howard, founder of Invite For A Bite, spent time travelling and teaching in Barcelona, Granada and Tokyo, and now lives in Cheltenham, in the heart of the English Cotswolds.

What’s Easter all about?  As I arrange small colourful eggs in straw nestled within a wooden trug, the sounds of the Eucharist service from Manchester Cathedral tumble out of the radio; a beautiful voice celebrating Christ’s resurrection.  Teenage son struggles to wake up from a late night’s X-Box playing and can’t face any of his chocolate just yet.  The phone rings: my brother in Menorca calling to say Happy Easter.  It’s warm out there & he’s in his shorts, getting ready to go down to Mahon Port to see some people over for the holidays.  We chat about this and that; just touching base and keeping those family bonds going.

In the kitchen, making scotch pancakes with smokey bacon and maple syrup … seems like a good brunch on a lazy Easter Sunday.  For the first time for almost 20 years I’m NOT having family over for a traditional Sunday dinner (roast lamb & lemon tart) – recovering from flu and want to take it easy.  No-one seems to mind – the world keeps turning …

Text message from younger brother.  He lives in Southport and is having a day with his motorbike mates. We seldom meet up now but the love is still there and on high days and holidays we make sure we say hello.  Leave message on Aunty Beryl’s voice mail wishing her and Uncle John a Happy Easter.  Yesterday we went round to their place in Kendal for Simnel Cake & coffee.  As I’m not doing the dinner they are going out to a hotel overlooking Windermere for lunch with friends.

Remember Mum, who died 10 years ago and is still here in spirit and my son’s happy smile.  Think of  how Dad, gone 20 years now, used to get us Thornton’s eggs with our names etched out in curly icing …

The Archers babble away in the background mostly unnoticed – catching up on a week’s minutiae in Ambridge.  Love the familiarity of a fantasy world where the seasons  are still observed and real life rarely impinges.  Son decides we have to open all the egg boxes and line them up on the sideboard next to the Easter basket.  He phones his Dad and arranges to go round to help him in the garden.  Tomorrow all three of us will go for a walk, maybe to Arnside – don’t usually venture into the Lake District  on Bank Holiday weekends – too many people and anyway we have lots of places to explore right on our doorstep.

Now to get ready to go over to a friend’s house; she’s invited people round to celebrate the opening of her new photographic studio in her back garden. On the way will drop son off at his Dad’s and pick him up later …

And that’s what Easter is all about for us.  Spending time with people we care for, reconnecting with loved ones near and far, and a bit of chocolate indulgence.  Nothing major, nothing world-shattering but simple, important and a reminder that love is what binds us all together …